Summary

The Nursing Assistant is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - and sub-acute. The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year [ ] as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.[ ] Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• [NAs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Grade Determinations: To be determined according to FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46
• EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22 - 2024
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Preferred Experience: Long Term Care - Geriatrics - Behavioral Health - Dementia Care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - an pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The NA must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Duties

• DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran Maintains a positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a Preceptor: Personal Hygiene Physical comfort Activity - Exercise - Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Is trained to set up patient care related equipment Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Uses proper safety practices
• Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
• Embraces patient-family centered care principles
• Practices excellent customer service in all work activities
• Must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational - ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Makes caring for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work
• Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments - and is learning to be an effective team member Complete all mandatory trainings within appropriate timelines
• Actively participate in annual competency assessment and validation
• Demonstrates the knowledge necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related needs of the Veteran patients served in his/her assigned service area
• Consistently adheres to information security policies and procedures and complies with all provisions of the access security agreement
• Report all known information security incidents or violations to the Information Security Officer immediately - as well as report all known privacy incidents or violations to the supervisor and/or the Privacy Officer immediately
• Work Schedule: Schedule to be discussed with hiring manager - multiple shifts available