Nursing Assistant

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.
• Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

• GS-3Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4Experience. 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 KSA 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

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).

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.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing , clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. this position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA Must be a Mature, Flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situation, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. these physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains positive, therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and /or significant others utilizing communication skills.
• Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and acts accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Reports patient statues to the appropriate nursing staff and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools perform.

• Applying external urinary devices (EUDs); performing sterile intermittent/indwelling catheterizations (IC); irrigating indwelling catheters; performing routine catheter care.
• Performing unsterile wound dressings.
• Performing routine nursing care tasks, including, but not limited to collecting basic patient data; obtains and records vital signs; obtains specimens; performs suctioning; phlebotomy; and administers oxygen. Additionally, the Nursing Assistant institutes emergency and safety measures.
• Maintains a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients by performing such activities as checking equipment, assessing safety hazards, straightening procedural and storage areas, cleaning stretchers and wheelchairs between patient uses. Sends equipment that is broken, torn, or needing maintenance to designated areas.
• Participates in shift reports, safety huddles, and contributes with information for the development and review of the nursing care plan.
• Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient's/resident's needs for:
• Personal Hygiene
• Physical Comfort
• Activity, Exercise, Rest
• Nutrition
• Elimination
• Prevention of Skin Breakdown
• Rehabilitative Aspects of Care
• Turning/positioning

Salary : $417