This position is located on E2, an intermediate medical unit on the Castle Point campus of VA Hudson Valley. The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is responsible for providing safe, effective clinical and administrative support in a wide variety of patient care and related activities.
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, 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. English language proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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-3: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: One year of specialized experience as a nursing assistant or experience in another medical field (LPN, 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 KSAs1. 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 of 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: 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 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 KSAs1. 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 Vocation 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 nursing assistants by assisting with 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. 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: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), pulling, pushing, repetitive motion and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, keyboarding, reading and logical thinking, depth perception, hearing (aide permitted); near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials. Work requires extensive walking, standing, stretching and bending in caring for patients.
This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive of the duties and responsibilities of the NA as a recognized essential member of the health care team on E2. - Participates in Veteran centered activities that support a personal preference and proactive approach. Participates in planning, implementing and evaluating by maintaining positive patient/resident/family relationships, which include recognition and understanding of the effect of social and spiritual factors. - Provides patients/residents personal hygiene by giving bedpans, urinals, baths, hand/fingernail care, foot care, oral hygiene, backrubs, shampoos, shaves, assisting with showers and baths, transfers and assisting with travel to the bathroom. - Provides for activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, feeding patients/residents as necessary, ambulating, turning and positioning patient/residents, providing fresh water and appropriate nourishment between meals. - Provides patient/resident comfort by utilizing resources and materials, escorting patient/resident for appointments/transfers when indicated, answering patient/resident's call lights and request, reporting hourly intentional rounding and 1:1 observations of the patient/resident to the nursing supervisor/charge nurse/nurse manager. - Recognizes and responds to patient safety needs and environmental cleanliness. Follows all safety procedures and implements the principles of infection prevention and control, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand-washing technique, isolation procedures, and the transport of reusable medical equipment (RME) to and from Sterile Processing as needed. - Documents actions, observations and education provided by completing forms, reports and records in CPRS. - Maintains work operations by following policies and procedures. - Keeps patient/resident information confidential. - Serves and protects the medical center by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state and local requirements, Joint Commission, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards. - Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. - Attends in-services on all new equipment and/or equipment that changed. Completes all mandatory education requirements. - Participates in Shared Governance activities on the unit/home level. - Reports potential/actual hazards to the registered nurse. - Recognizes emergent situations and initiates appropriate actions. - Participates in Veteran Centered activities, hand off and contributes information for the development and review of the patient/resident care plan. - Promotes an environment of respect for individual patient/resident and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery. - Adheres to established lines of authority and communication. - Cooperates with team members. - Attends and contributes to unit staff meetings. Participates in interdisciplinary patient/resident care conferences and provides information and feedback. - Contributes to supportive environment when floating to other areas. - Accepts challenges and demonstrates a willingness to support others in their work. Work Schedule: Monday - Sunday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm: Days with rotation Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized