The Nursing Assistant is an integral part of the care team in providing care to the veterans that the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital serves. The Nursing Assistant is responsible for the delivery of patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse / Physician Assistant, or Physician. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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. Certification as a CNA by a State is preferred but not a basic requirement for all grade levels. GS-3 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: None beyond basic qualifications. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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: 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 residents' 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. GS-5 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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 identified 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 NAs 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. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying, strait pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands/legs/eyes (limb prosthesis allowed if functionally equivalent), walking and standing, crawling and kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, hearing (aid permitted), ability to perform PMDB and BLS, patient lifting (mechanical assistance available), emotional and mental stability, ability to read medication labels and equipment manuals, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. ["FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This summary is neither inclusive nor exclusive of duties and responsibilities of the NA as a recognized essential member of the health care team duties and responsibilities for the NA is as follow: Practices within the scope and certification of a CNA in the nursing unit, clinic, area of assignment and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics. Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit, clinic, area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services. Provides care of patients/residents and their environment contributing to optimizing patient/resident outcomes as a member of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Provides direct patient/resident care in the provision of the psychological, physical, social and cultural activities of daily living, complete and supportive. Provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs. Provides reporting, communication and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Maintains certification, BCLS, and currency in required education and training as identified by regulating agencies, Hines VA Hospital, VISN and National Agencies. The NA demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment, application of technical standards and performance of administrative support duties. Sterile surgical dressing changes including but not limited to dry dressing over the gastrostomy tube, and any dressing that do not include treatments. Care of patients with PICCs and CVCs, Care of patients with chest tubes, ventilator patients, tracheotomy patients, and assists with leading patient activity groups. The NA demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with standard operating procedures for the maintenance of reusable medical equipment. The NA participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships. The NA attends unit level and Medical Center meetings and develops as an employee to support committee participation. The NA maintains patient/resident safety standards assuring patient /resident privacy, patient/resident physical safety, and patient/resident psychological safety. The NA establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level members of the work team promoting the physical, psychological and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members. The NA provides assistance and support to the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the scope of the CNA certification/grade and consistent with Medical Center policy. The NA demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients, residents, visitors and employees. The NA recognizes, responds and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Work Schedule: Full Time. 730am-8pm and 730pm-8am 12 hours with rotating shifts and holidays and weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]
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.
