Summary

This Nursing Assistant position is located within the VA Community Living Center at CHI Midlands Hospital in Papillion, NE, providing care to Veterans receiving extended hospital care and short-term rehabilitation levels of care which includes help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, and dementia care. The mission of a Community Living Center is to restore each Veteran to his or her highest level of well-being, to prevent declines in health, and provide comfort at the end of life.

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Overview

* Accepting applications

* Open & closing dates

12/04/2023 to 09/30/2024

* Salary

$37,425 - $61,100 per year

Relocation Incentive up to $7,500 authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants.

* Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

Many vacancies in the following location:

* Papillion, NE

* Remote job

No

* Telework eligible

No

* Travel Required

Not required

* Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

* Appointment type

Permanent -

* Work schedule

Multiple Schedules - Full-time and part-time, Sunday-Saturday, Days/Nights/Weekends

* Service

Competitive

* Promotion potential

5

* Job family (Series)

0621 Nursing Assistant

* Supervisory status

No

* Security clearance

Other

* Drug test

Yes

* Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

* Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

* Announcement number

CBSY-12216967-24-AW

* Control number

763996200

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This job is open to

* Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current, permanent employees of the Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System including Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and VA nationwide. All other applicants including current, permanent Federal employees from an agency other than the Department of Veterans Affairs should apply under announcement CBSY-12216968-24-AW.

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Duties

This position is located within a VA Community Living Center (CLC) at Papillion - CHI Midlands Hospital Campus, 11111 South 84th Street, Papillion, NE, on the 5th and 6th floors. VA Community Living Centers are a place where Veterans receive extended hospital care and short-term rehabilitation levels of care which includes help with activities of daily living, skilled nursing, and dementia care. This CLC has a total of 33-beds, providing services to eligible Veterans needing skilled healthcare, rehabilitation, or dementia/ neurocognitive support. Veterans stay for a short time (between 30-90 days).

Major Duties of the CLC Nursing Assistant include, but are not limited to:

* Takes and records temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, pulse oximetry, height and weight.

* Assists with activities related to bathing, shaving, feeding, oral hygiene, ambulation, and dressing.

* Performs basic procedures such as blood glucose testing and bladder scans.

* Sets up equipment such as oxygen tanks, suction canisters, and cardiac monitors.

* Escorts patients to different areas of the facility as needed.

* Assists the RN or LPN in the rehabilitation goals, positioning patients for bedside procedures or cares, and ensuring overall safety.

* Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence.

* Recognizes and supports suicide prevention initiatives.

* Recognized emergency situations and initiates emergency procedures until help arrives.

* Documents the patients daily living activities in electronic patient record system.

* Interacts with patients' families, helping them to feel comfortable.

* Other duties as assigned.

Vacancies may not presently exist for all work schedules but may become available at any point during the opening period of this vacancy announcement. Applications will be reviewed and referred to hiring managers at regular intervals. Your application will remain active for 3 months. If you have not been selected after 3 months from your application date, you must resubmit to receive further consideration.

Work Schedule: Full time work schedule is considered 80 hours each pay period (bi-weekly), every other weekend. Specific schedule and tour of duty determined upon hire

Additional Pay:

* Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am.

* Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. This includes continuous service connected to work performed during these hours.

* Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holiday.

Compressed/Flexible:Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Relocation incentive of up to $7,500 authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants.

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Funding is limited; therefore, applications will be approved on a first-come basis.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Nebraska-Western Iowa VA Health Care System is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

* All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

* Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

* You may be required to serve a probationary period.

* Subject to background/security investigation.

* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

* Must pass pre-employment physical examination and/or evaluation.

* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

* Selected applicants must obtain and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Training provided.

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.

GRADE DETERMINATION:

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade. To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below.

GS-3 - Entry Level

Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 - Developmental Level

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 (transcripts required).

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 listed 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 (transcripts required).

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the Nursing Assistant occupation or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant is required to verify you meet the basic qualification requirements. If basing your qualifications on education at the GS-4 or-5 levels, you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. You do not need to submit an official copy; however, your submitted transcript must include your name, name of school, name of program, total credits completed, date degree/certificate conferred. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore, the copy you submit must be legible.

Candidates who do not yet meet the basic education requirement but are currently enrolled in a post high school technical school, junior college, college, or university completing coursework related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, must provide proof of enrollment at the time of application.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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* Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, rsum, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

To receive full consideration for this position at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) required by the Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard found in VA Handbook 5005/3, Part II, Appendix G46.

What are KSAs?

In the federal hiring process, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) are a list of special qualifications and personal attributes that you need to have for a particular job/grade level (see Qualifications section of this announcement).

* Knowledge statements refer to an organized body of information usually of a factual or procedural nature which, if applied, makes adequate performance on the job possible. A body of information applied directly to the performance of a function. Skill statements refer to the proficient manual, verbal or mental manipulation of data or things.

* Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.

* Ability statements refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time. This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviors that are similar to those required on the job. Note that abilities are different from aptitudes. Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.

Although not required at the time of application, we highly recommend submitting a supplemental document with your written responses to the KSAs required at each grade level you wish to be considered. If you choose not to submit KSA responses, please ensure your resume includes details of your experience that fully demonstrate the required KSAs as described in the "Qualifications" section of this announcement.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.