The nursing assistant duties, including acute and close observation, taking, and documenting vital signs, collecting lab specimens, phlebotomy, passing, and tracking and documenting intake and output, assisting with transporting of Veterans/residents, and duties as assigned by the Supervisor or designee. The position requires the ability to work alternate schedules during evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, and may alternate schedules to ensure adequate coverage of support functions.
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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. 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: (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. iii 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. iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level): (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs. i 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. ii 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. iii 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. 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-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
SCOPE OF WORK: Personal Patient Care Performs a wide variety of nursing duties aimed at increasing the safety, comfort, and spirit of the Veteran/resident while following established policy and procedures. Provide acute and close observation of Veterans/residents with medical or mental health conditions requiring such observation. This includes intervening to prevent an act of self or other harm by Veterans/residents, assisting with prevention and management of disruptive behaviors, and reporting to the charge nurse any deviation from baseline behavior or condition. The incumbent refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals for complex Veteran/resident situations including subtle changes in Veteran/resident behavior or condition or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. The incumbent records intake and output, vital signs, percent ingestion of meals, and other activities of daily living and documents appropriately. Incumbent documents in Veterans/residents Electronic Health Record (EHR) a daily outline or summary of the Veteran/resident care using the approved format, including SBAR hand-off and verbally reports findings to higher graded NAs or charge nurse. Incumbent assists Veteran/resident with transfers from bed to chair, chair to bed, or bed to bedside commode using proper body mechanics and safe patient handling and mobility devices to ensure safety to self and Veteran/resident. Incumbent provides 1:1 observation for suicidal, wander risk, or high fall risk Veterans/residents as directed by the Supervisor or Charge Nurse. Provides and removes Veteran/resident meal trays as appropriate, remaining cognizant of Veterans/residents with special diets or those who are ordered to not receive anything by mouth. Incumbent assists Veterans/residents with activities of daily living to include oral hygiene, bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, ambulating, passive or active range of motion, and other activities to promote independence and autonomy. Other examples include bowel and bladder care and positioning for comfort. Incumbent engages in meaningful activity opportunities with Veteran/resident on an individual or group basis. Incumbent performs intentional rounding according to practice, ensuring evaluation of need for Potty, Positioning, Pain, Periphery and Parting. May provide escort services to Veteran/resident in the absence of an escort. This includes escorting to other units, diagnostic test areas, other healthcare facilities, and to privately owned vehicles when discharged. Monitors environment of care and initiates corrective actions to prevent injury, reporting problem and resolution to Supervisor. The work environment involves high risk of regular and recurring exposure to potentially dangerous situations such as infectious diseases, demented and suicidal/homicidal Veterans/residents, and construction with associated risks. There are regular and recurring situations where physical attack by Veterans/residents requires safety training, specifically prevention and management of disruptive behavior. Routine redirection, intervention, and mitigation of behaviors from Veterans/residents may be required. Assists with Technical Nursing Treatments The incumbent assists providers and nurses in the care and treatment of the acutely and chronically ill Veterans/residents receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, rehabilitative, palliative, hospice, or emergent treatment. Observes and reports to the Supervisor or Charge Nurse changes in Veteran/resident behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Incumbent may provide nursing care to Veterans/residents experiencing extreme behaviors, including the severely depressed, suicidal, or homicidal Veteran/resident, and the drug or alcohol abuse Veteran/resident. Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance including implementation of basic life support. Incumbent provides nursing treatment for acutely ill Veterans/residents whose needs require advanced skill such as placing patient on cardiac monitor, taking EKGs, and performing basic life support. Work Schedule: Variable Shifts0600-1430,1400-2230,2200-0630 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized