The Nursing Assistant position is located at Kerrville VAMC within Nursing Service's Community Living Center (CLC), a VA Nursing Home. Unlike many nursing homes, a CLC resembles "home" as much as possible. It is a place where Veterans can receive nursing home level care, which includes help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, medical care and hospice services. The CLC provides 24-hour skilled nursing care, restorative care, respite care, and hospice services. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience or Education or Training: (1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level): Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA Experience: One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. iii Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR, Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree; AND Demonstrated KSAs: i Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse. ii Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. iii Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. South Texas Veterans Health Care System is a tertiary health care facility, providing acute medical, surgical, behavioral health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services predominately to veterans, but in special cases, includes active-duty military and civilian populations. This position requires the following physical functional requirement: Moderate lifting, 15-35 pounds; Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Moderate carrying,15-35 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling, 1 hour; Pushing, 1-3 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Walking, 4 hours; Standing, 2-7 hours; Kneeling, 2 hours; Repeated bending, 2 hours; Climbing; use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Visual acuity: 20/40 DVA; corrected; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing aid (permitted); Sitting, 8 hours; Simple grasping, 2-4 hours; Fine manipulation, including keyboarding, 4-6 hours; Twisting, 2 hours; Mental and emotional stability. In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties May Include but are Not Limited To: GS-03: Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect & 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 & recording patient/resident observations. Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision & 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 & other therapeutic groups. Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reports patient observations to the RN & or other members of the treatment team. Is trained to set up patient care related equipment. Organizes & obtains routine supplies & equipment. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines & 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 & supplies according to procedures. Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics & follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. GS-04/GS-05: Completes all care assignments in a safe & timely manner. Actively participates in unit level quality improvement activities & attends huddles, team meetings, & assigned committees. Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output, daily weights, vital signs, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification. Uses the appropriate equipment for safe patient handling to include but not limited to: SCDs, bladder scanner, Bucks tractions, lift equipment, CPM, glucometer to include maintenance of quality controls as applicable. Adheres to all reusable medical equipment (RME) standard operating procedures. Participates in the equipment inventory process. Implements the appropriate interventions to prevent/reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers & patient falls under the direction of the RN/LVN. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice & according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures, but not limited to: catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces & prosthetic devices. May assist with surgical skin preparation to include hair clipping & holding limbs. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the Veteran. Maintains BLS certification & demonstrates proper procedure in initiating CPR. Transports patients safely & professionally as assigned using hand-off communication tool. Transports medication, supplies, equipment, blood & specimens & any other transport needs as directed. Monitors patients according to levels of observation i.e. 1:1 veterans as well as veterans in a close observation status in accordance with facility policies. Age differences - delivers nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years & over. Performs other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider. Provides assistance with coordination of daily activities under the direction of RN/LVN. Provides assistance to all levels of clinical & non-clinical staff when warranted & within level of competence & scope of practice as indicated within the unit specific competencies. Work Schedule: Full time Rotating 8-hour tours Compressed/Flexible: Full-time with Rotating Shift, Days, Nights and Weekends Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child."]

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