Nursing Assistant position with Inpatient Mental Health unit functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, subacute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The Nursing assistant performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive and outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran. 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.) Experience or Education or Training: Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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. English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-03 Entry Level - Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Developmental Level - Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 two 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-05 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; 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1. 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. 2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.3. 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. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of direct patient care experience. At least 1 year of Inpatient Mental Health experience. Familiarity with Mental Health / Behavioral Health care (documentation, terminology, observation, safety precautions). Certification - preferred. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G17.For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required; walking 8 12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours intermittently; kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required; near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted; twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation. ["All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task. Major Duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans. Provides direct care for complex veterans. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Performs oral and nasopharyngeal suctioning. Monitors and documents patient intake and output. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to patients/veterans' treatment plan. Recognizes the resident's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in treatment planning meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, hydro sound tubs, and veteran/resident wandering system. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/resident's plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Work Schedule: Night shift 7:30 om - 8:00 am / Rotating Shift - Nights/Weekends/Holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
