Nursing Assistant is an individual who delivers age specific care to adult Veterans according to established policies and procedures under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN). 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Long Term Care Experience. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (1) GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments - Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. (2) 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, healthcare 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: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. (d)Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other health care professionals. In this role, the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other health care professionals. (3) 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. 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. 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. 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. (d)Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. 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. ["Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties Include but not limited to: Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with safe resident centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation, shows flexibility. Acts as a role model to peers. Maintains a positive attitude in accepting temporary reassignment to meet resident care needs. Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Communicates, shares resources, and works effectively with other members of the health care team, unit staff, residents, family/significant others, other departments, and visitors. Fosters an environment of respect for individual resident and family/significant other rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. Serves as Veteran's/family/significant other advocate and effectively incorporates knowledge and understanding of established customer service standards in all interactions with residents, family members, and/or internal/external customers and demonstrates resident-centered care. Administers complete personal care to Veterans 18 years through the geriatric years who exhibit acute symptoms and whose activity may be severely restricted. These Veterans have unique age related and gender specific structural and functional changes that effect their response to assistance and care. This care will include, but is not limited to, restorative care, hygiene, assistance with AOL's, elimination and nutrition. Assists with procedures and completes treatments according to policy, i.e. warm and cold applications, glucometer testing, skin agents, and oral pharyngeal suctioning. Collects routine specimens of sputum, feces, urine, wound drainage and gastric contents for evaluation in the clinical laboratory using blood and body fluid precautions. Provides charge nurse or RN with pertinent data related to care provided, changes in condition and interventions initiated. Documents care provided including subtle changes and therapeutic measures administered and the resident's response through subjective and objective observations. Responds appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills. Appropriately initiates emergency response teams: Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, Stroke-Cardiac alerts. Organizes, plans, implements and completes resident care assignment in a timely manner and once completed, takes the initiative to assist others. Attends/escorts residents to various appointments on station. Orients residents to the unit/neighborhood. Sets up for and performs treatments that requires auxiliary equipment, for example: oxygen and spirometry. Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts, transfers, and repositions residents safely, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the resident and self. Provides competent care which is safe for both self and others under adverse conditions, including resident care situations, exposure to communicable diseases, exposure to constant noise and working protracted or irregular hours. Consistently follows environmental policies and procedures related to the Wilkes-Barre VAMC, recycling, and the safe use, handling and disposal of chemical products. Follow policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and requirements. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision. Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, q 15 minute checks, and hourly rounding. Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Work Schedule: 0800-2000 plus one 0745-1615 shift in a two week period; rotating weekends/holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Functional Statement -: Nursing Assistant (NA) - GS-0621-3/4/5"]
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.
