The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The Bruce W Carter Department of VAMC is looking for Nursing Assistants (NA) to work in Medica Surgical for Nursing, Acute Care Service. The Nursing Assistants functions as a member of the nursing care team assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving community living care or who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness.
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. English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions: All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, [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, 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 (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. (d) Assignment. i: 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. ii 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-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. (d) 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. 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). Preferred Experience: 1 year medical surgical experience preferred. 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:
The Nursing Assistant Nursing, Acute Care - Med Surge (Night shift) may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. The Nursing Assistant Nursing, Acute Care - Med Surge under the direction of a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse (RN) the Nursing Assistant (NA) Acute Care 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 Med Surge Nursing Assistant is self-directed in providing nursing care to a variety of patients/residents of ages across the adult continuum to meet personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning, and feeding; administering tube feeding via feeding pump to include changing administration sets, all the while explains procedures to patient/and or family. The Night Shift Nursing Assistant provides nursing care, performs clinical procedures according to specialty, technical procedures, and ancillary services for complex patient. The Nursing Assistant performs a variety of personal care or nursing care activities. The Nursing Assistant helps each patient attain optimal physical, physiological, emotional, and social well-being. The Med Surge Nursing assistant at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship. The Nursing Assistant Med Surge other duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. 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. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel.. Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately, administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. .Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Functions as a member of the unit base counsel, orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate. Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members. Appropriately initiates basic life support, takes actions appropriate action. Work Schedule: Full time, Tour of Duty (nights), 0730 pm - 0800, six (12 hrs.) shifts and one 8-hour shift bi-weekly, alternating to include weekends and holidays. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 31775F, 31776F, 31777F. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized