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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Nursing Assistant (5C-400) Near Dallas, TX

Qualifications:

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.
• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant [NA] 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Nursing Assistant [NA] - (Entry Level) : Experience and Education - None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant [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, 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: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 Nursing Assistant [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 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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.

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.

Preferred Experience
1. Direct Patient Care Experience in hospital setting (with in last 2- 3 years)
2. Current Critical Care Nursing Assistant Experience within last 2 Years
3. Telemetry/12 Lead EKG experience

References: VA Handbook 5005 APPENDIX G46 NURSING ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-621

The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5.

Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required; walking 8- 12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours intermittently; kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required; near vision at 13 to 16' Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted; twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation.

Responsibilities:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 11, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 2, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 7/11/2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply.

The Nursing Assistant is responsible for a variety of unit support duties and patient related activities. These duties are provided for patients experiencing medical or surgical or telemetry interventions for acute and / or chronic health problem The following is a list of skills and characteristics which are essential attributes for this assignment:

• Performs 12-Lead EKG
• Reads, monitors and documents telemetry information.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition including emergencies.
• Notify the RN appropriately for changes in the patients monitoring condition and document in the patient's medical records.
• Completion of patient ADLs (feeding, bathing, toileting, ambulating, patient safety measures).
• Complete and document I&Os.
• Complete and document Vital Signs.
• Attend and participate in team Huddles.
• Transfer/accompany patients when on secured units.
• Assist with transfer of patient to ED or In-patient unit.
• Answer call lights.
• Report patient changes and update to staff nurse.
• Actively participate in unit/program quality improvement processes and initiatives and customer service programs.
• Utilizes unit resources; MSDS manual, Unit Resource Manual, Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and computer menus.
• Consistently communicates with customers (e.g. veterans, family members, and the general public) in a courteous, tactful, and helpful manner. Communication, both oral and/or written, is generally provided promptly and is responsive to the customer's needs.
• Consistently communicates with customers (e. veterans, family members, and the general public) in a courteous, tactful, and helpful manner. Communication, both oral and/or written, is generally provided promptly and is responsive to the customer's needs.
• Must be knowledgeable of basic nursing care duties as taught in the Basic Nursing Assistant Trainee Program in order to provide direct patient care and observe patient.

Work Schedule: Possible hours of duty are 07:30am to 8:00pm; 07:30am to 4:00pm; 7:30pm to 08:00am and 11:30pm to 08:00am. May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary