The Bruce W Carter Department of VAMC is looking for Nursing Assistants (NA) to work in our Nursing, Perioperative Service. The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients /residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. The NA provides personal patient care including transporting and serving as a basic contact for patients and families. 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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. [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 above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year (1) as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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: The following Scope, Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates, and if appropriate, the level within a grade. The Dimension requirements (Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12659263.*Note: Foreign education programs/degrees may not be creditable as related degrees. 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. GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA 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 NA (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 in subparagraph (c) 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) 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. Preferred Experience: 1 Year of Nursing Assistant (NA) experience Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G46.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 nursing assistant within all services may require shift work and or rotation of tour assignments. Routinely requires regular and recurring bending, stooping, walking, stretching, lifting, standing, and repositioning and transportation of patients or similar activities. Work requires the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patients and protect self and others from injury using the knowledge gained from ongoing training. This position will require the ability to work outside daily for duration of shift. Will need to follow facility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination of employees. ["All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task. The duties will include but are not limited to: Meets personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning, and feeding; administering tube feeding via feeding pump to include changing administration sets. Performs clinical procedures according to specialty, technical procedures, and ancillary services for complex patient. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and take actions accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations Engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events, and other therapeutic groups. Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. Set up patient care related equipment Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Uses proper safety handling practices. Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures. Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Floats within assigned areas based on facility needs Assists with the coordination of unit performance improvement activities. Aids patients and/or their families during admission to the clinical area, orients the veteran/family members to the department, and assists with discharge procedures Anticipates the equipment and supply needs of the nursing staff; initiates actions to expedite surgical procedures Transports patients to and from the operating room and other areas within the medical center Responsible for obtaining beds, stretchers, transport/transfer of patient as well as assisting with movement of equipment and VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Multiple Tours-based on the needs of the service (To be discussed during interview); Flexibility in the schedule is required to ensure adequate coverage for the service. (i.e. 7:30am - 8:00pm OR 3:30pm - 12:00am) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 31777F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
