Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT for Nursing Assistant (NA's) vacancies in the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Erie VA Medical Center and will remain open until 9/30/2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 3/14/2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates weekly. 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).

Qualifications

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) (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
• (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: 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.(d) Assignment
• i 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
• ii 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
• 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.(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.

Duties

• 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: Explains procedures to residents
• 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
• Provides range of motion exercises for dependent patients/residents at least once per shift
• 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 Erie VAMC GEMS program - 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
• Supports the Environment of Care Management Program by completing scheduled training on safety - health - environmental and fire protection requirements related to their assigned tasks
• following safe work practices and procedures - including the use of appropriate equipment - and any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item
• recognizing and reporting unsafe and unhealthful conditions - initiating prompt corrective action within their authority - and promptly reporting work-related injuries or illnesses to supervisory personnel
• Supports and actively participates in CLC/Long Term Care initiatives such as Cultural Transformation - Resident Centered Care - High Reliability Organization (HRO) - Patient Centered Care - Just Culture - and I CARE
• Work Schedule: Rotating tours including weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Possibility of compressed will be considered
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Functional Statement -: Nursing Assistant (NA) - Community Living Center (CLC) Beta GS-0621-3/4/5