Summary

The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

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
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR, (3) 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. 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: GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-04 Nursing Assistant 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, healthcare 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
• Assignment
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other health care professionals
• In this role, the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness
• The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other health care professionals
• GS-05 Nursing Assistant (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 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
• Assignment
• This is the full performance level for NAs
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• Preferred Experience: One year of inpatient experience
• 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 situations, 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.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant Acute Care (NA) GS-3 is the entry level nursing position
• the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting
• The NA at the GS-4 level is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised
• The NA at the GS-4 level is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NA's, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team
• The NA GS-5 is the full performance level for this NA
• The NA at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship
• Major Duties include, but are not limited to: Performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident needs for: Personal Hygiene, Physical Comfort, Oral and Nasopharyngeal suctioning as directed by the RN, Colostomy Care, Nutrition, Elimination, Prevention of Skin Breakdown, Rehabilitative Aspects of Care, Oxygen Therapy
• Appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment
• Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes
• Provides nursing care to patients requiring isolation and sterile techniques
• Provides direct care for veterans requiring complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, ie: shifts in behavior, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning
• Demonstrates motivation and creativity in addressing problems which impede patient care
• Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self -care, such as
• lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System
• May serve as preceptor and mentor to other NA's
• Shares increase knowledge and skill in observation, communication, intervention and documentation abilities with other staff members
• All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service
• Work Schedule: Full-Time, 7:30am-8:00pm and/or 7:30pm-8:00am
• Tour of duty will be determined by your Supervisor
• 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.