The incumbent practices as a Nursing Assistant (NA) in the Hospital & Specialty Care Division located within the VA Portland Healthcare System located in Portland, OR. Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. 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 Nursing Assistant 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. 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 reentry to the occupation. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 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: 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. GS-5 (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 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. Preferred Experience: Prior Medical-Surgical and/or Nursing Facility experience . References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant, Qualification Standard 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 work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing, and repositioning patients, or similar activities without limitation. Lift and/or move heavy objects over 45 pounds; carry objects over 40 pounds for distances of at least 200 feet; hearing aids allowed; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; working alone or closely with others. ["The duties of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to the following: Provides outpatient clinical services for the subspecialties such as Medicine, Surgery, and Neurology. Functions as a team member as assigned by the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or licensed independent practitioner (LIP). Performs patient centered care to Veterans throughout the lifespan, and provides medical assistive care and administration support when needed. Demonstrate the ability to observe, identify, and respond to the patient's need for nursing care, recognizing deviations from baseline and reporting to licensed personnel. Specimen collection, Maintaining the care environment, Participating in virtual care appointments, Dressing removal, Home meter downloading, Assisting with urological procedures, Obtaining Echocardiogram (EKG), Performing capillary blood glucose test, Dermatological procedures, Vital signs, Orthostatic blood pressure measurement, Timed walk test, Documentation, Assisting with invasive and non-invasive procedures, Hand hygiene and hand hygiene observation, Set up and closing of clinic and supply for operational and continued readiness, Use of safe patient handling equipment and assistive devices, Handling reusable medical equipment/devices Work Schedule: Hours will be between 7:00AM - 6:00PM, Monday-Friday. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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