Career Center

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is an integral part of the care team in providing care to the veterans that the Edward Hines - Jr. VA Hospital serves. The Nursing Assistant is responsible for the delivery of patient care under the direction of a Registered Nurse - Advanced Practice Nurse / Physician Assistant - or Physician.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English Experience - Education - or Training: Must have one of the following: 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. GS-3 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: None beyond basic qualifications
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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: 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 residents' 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
• GS-5 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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 identified 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)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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
• Preferred Experience: CNA Certification is preferred - but not a requirement
• One year of acute care/long-term care clinical experience
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying - strait pulling - pulling hand over hand - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers and both hands/legs/eyes (limb prosthesis allowed if functionally equivalent) - walking and standing - crawling and kneeling - repeated bending - climbing - hearing (aid permitted) - ability to perform PMDB and BLS - patient lifting (mechanical assistance available) - emotional and mental stability - ability to read medication labels and equipment manuals - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This summary is neither inclusive nor exclusive of duties and responsibilities of the NA as a recognized essential member of the health care team duties and responsibilities for the NA is as follow: Practices within the scope and certification of a CNA in the nursing unit - clinic - area of assignment and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics
• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit - clinic - area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services
• Provides care of patients/residents and their environment contributing to optimizing patient/resident outcomes as a member of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team
• Provides direct patient/resident care in the provision of the psychological - physical - social and cultural activities of daily living - complete and supportive
• Provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs
• Provides reporting - communication and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team
• Maintains certification - BCLS - and currency in required education and training as identified by regulating agencies - Hines VA Hospital - VISN and National Agencies
• The NA demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment - application of technical standards and performance of administrative support duties
• Sterile surgical dressing changes including but not limited to dry dressing over the gastrostomy tube - and any dressing that do not include treatments
• Care of patients with PICCs and CVCs - Care of patients with chest tubes - ventilator patients - tracheotomy patients - and assists with leading patient activity groups
• The NA demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with standard operating procedures for the maintenance of reusable medical equipment
• The NA participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships
• The NA attends unit level and Medical Center meetings and develops as an employee to support committee participation
• The NA maintains patient/resident safety standards assuring patient /resident privacy - patient/resident physical safety - and patient/resident psychological safety
• The NA establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level members of the work team promoting the physical - psychological and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members
• The NA provides assistance and support to the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the scope of the CNA certification/grade and consistent with Medical Center policy
• The NA demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients - residents - visitors and employees
• The NA recognizes - responds and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and/or respiratory failure
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• Day Shift 7:30am - 8:00pm with rotating shifts and holidays and weekends
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized