Under the direction of a Licensed Vocational Nurse(LVN) or Registered Nurse(RN) the Nursing Assistant(NA) functions as a member of the nursing team and assists the RN and LVN in the care of patients. The incumbent functions as NA, under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher grade NA and other health care professionals and is directed by the RN and/or LVN in the delivery of care of patients in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. 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: 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.) 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. 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. Grandfathering Provisions. All NAs 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-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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). (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Recent (within 2 years) Surgical Acute 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 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: 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, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent 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 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, 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. ["The duties and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to the following: Demonstrates the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care, based on physical, psychological, educational, safety and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patient served in his/her assigned area. The skills and knowledge needed to provide such care might be gained through education, training or experience in NA arena. Provides input to Team Leader/Charge Nurse for making assignments prior to receiving report at the start of scheduled tour. Listens attentively to report, notes pertinent items and asks for clarification when unsure of content. Formulates work schedule based on prioritization of patient care needs. Assist patients to keep physically and socially active and to maintain peer group interactions. Assist patients to cope with loss, e.g. hearing, vision, body parts or death of significant others. Assist patients with self-care as required, and with maintaining as much independence as possible. Performs procedures and treatments according to the orientation procedures for assigned patients, or assists with delivery of procedures/treatments for a team of patients, in an organized and timely manner in accordance with established policy and procedure seeking guidance when necessary Preserves patient safety, confidentiality, respects patient/family/significant other's rights and assists the multidisciplinary team with resolving ethical issues. Recognizes medical emergencies and initiates appropriate intervention. Maintains basic life support certification and other mandatory training and educational requirements offered by the medical center. Attends interdisciplinary rounds and discharge planning meetings to assist with patient instruction/discharge planning for patients on designated team. Assist with admissions, discharges, transfers and death procedures. Provides respectful care that maintains individuality, dignity and self-esteem for residents in an environment that focuses on their care needs and quality of life. Promotes rehabilitative and restorative nursing care Practices universal precautions, infection control techniques and safe medical waste disposal Use of equipment safely and using proper body mechanics Recognizes medical/behavioral changes and initiates appropriate intervention requests as necessary Immediately reports observation and or knowledge of abuse or neglect of patients and loss or damage of government property. The Nursing assistant is alert to the possible physical acting out behavior of patients and protects self and others from physical harm Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking, bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pulling and /or similar activities carried out using safe patient handling techniques. Work Schedule: Full-Time, 12hr shift, 80hrs/pay period. Day Shift positions and works weekends/holidays. Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]

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