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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Nursing Assistant Near Little Rock, AR

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants 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-03.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)
Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit.
Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-03 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 Nursing Assistant
Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit.
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 KSAs. In addition to the experience or education above, 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-05 Nursing Assistant(Full Performance Level)
Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit.
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. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Nursing Assistants 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is desired. If selected for this position, per VHA Directive 1177, you must possess current BCLS certification as you will provide direct clinical care to patients in this position.
• Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.
• Knowledge of computer systems and standard software programs.
• Demonstrates skills in managing complex systems, with advanced organizational skills.
• Knowledge and understanding of Department of Veterans Affairs regulations/policies/procedures, current Joint Commission Standards, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and other current internal and external accrediting body standards.
• Demonstrates a pleasant and respectful disposition.
• Demonstrates the ability to respond in a positive manner with Mental Health and Behavioral Science veterans.

References. VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated March 12, 2015.

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 occurs within a typical hospital setting. The physical demands involve heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), pulling hand over hand (2-4 hours), pushing (2-4 hours), frequent reaching above shoulders, walking (8 hours), standing (8 hours), repeated bending (2-4 hours), and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Physical characteristics include the use of both hands and fingers required, both legs required, near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (with or without aid), and mental and emotional stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services)

Environmental Factors. The work conditions include exposure to dust, fumes, smoke, or gases, electrical energy, and working with hands in water. Nursing Assistants will work closely with others and protracted or irregular work schedules will be required. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services)

Responsibilities:

This is an Open Continuous Announcement to fill multiple vacancies in various Services within the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 25, 2023.

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE, OR YOU WILL RECEIVE AN ELECTRONIC NOTICE THAT YOU ARE RATED INELIGIBLE. SEE QUALIFICATIONS SECTION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS SECTION FOR DETAILS. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs) MUST BE DEMONSTRATED IN YOUR RESUME. PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE ANNOUNCEMENT AND REFER BACK TO IT OFTEN WHEN WRITING YOUR RESUME.

The duties of the Nursing Assistant in the Nursing Service include, but are not limited to:

• Assists patients/residents with activities of daily living, i.e., bathing, shaving, feeding, oral hygiene, ambulation, dressing, etc. Assists lower graded Nursing Assistants in the completion of these duties as well.
• Assists Registered Nurses, therapists and others in the rehabilitation and or providing care for patients/residents. Assures the residents are prepared to engage in therapy as much as possible.
• Ability to use clean and aseptic technique to perform various non-medicine treatments, i.e., wound cleansing, applying dressings, performing catheter care, applying external catheters, performing perianal care and monitoring for early signs of breakdown - notifies Registered Nurses, etc.
• Cares for patient/resident and prevents complications of limited mobility or immobilization by turning, maintaining proper body alignment, range of motion exercises, assists with deep breathing and cough.
• Encourages and provides adequate nutrition and hydration within ordered diet. Assists with observation and monitoring of enteral feeding and/or gastro tube and notifies Registered Nurses of concerns or issues. Accurately monitors intake and output and daily weights as ordered.
• Monitors intravenous fluids by informing the nurse of the need to add fluids, any alarm and any patient/resident concerns. Monitors for pain, leakage, swelling or redness at site and notifies nurse immediately.
• Is a leader in activities that promote safety for the veteran and others in the work area, including, but not limited to, performing monitoring of the patient safety monitoring system after completion of orientation and completion of competency demonstration. Assists with safety monitors such as hand hygiene, safety support or others.
• Performs other duties as assigned for the position. Precepts and trains new and lower graded staff in functions of Nursing Assistants.

Work Schedule: Various tours/shifts with rotating weekends based on patient care needs.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 598-00009-F; 598-00008-F; 598-00007-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Job Summary