Summary

The position is responsible for the nursing assistant duties - includes acute and close observation - taking and documenting vital signs - collecting lab specimens including phlebotomy and capillary blood glucose checks - passing and picking up meal trays - tracking and documenting intake and output - assisting with transporting of patients/residents - and duties as assigned by the Supervisor or designee.

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
• 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 of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant: Experience and Education- None beyond basic requirements
• GS-4 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 - 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: 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
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant: 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 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 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.

Duties

• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs a wide variety of nursing duties aimed at increasing the safety - comfort - and spirit of the Veteran while following established policies and procedures
• Identifies and reports data relative to more complex Veteran situations - including subtle changes in Veteran's behavior or condition or variances related to neurological signs - vital signs - and other parameters
• The incumbent monitors vital signs - completes clinical reminders - and documents appropriately
• Documents in the Veteran medical record a daily outline or summary of the Veteran care using the approved format - including situation-background-actions-response (SBAR) hand-off and appropriate templates
• Assists with monitoring patients - maintaining a safe milieu - measuring vital signs - documenting in the Veteran's medical records - and communicating any urgent concerns to the charge nurse
• Assists with medical emergencies on the unit
• Observe and report any changes in patient behavior - attitude - physical complaints - and appearance to the charge nurse
• Assists in maintaining a safe - therapeutic milieu for the Veterans on the APU
• Maintains routine equipment and supplies - notifying the charge nurse of equipment concerns
• Must be proficient in phlebotomy - draw all but the most difficult patients - and follow laboratory procedures for drawing blood
• In addition - develops and maintains the essential speed required to complete blood drawing duties promptly
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Intermittent-2 - 8 hour shifts per pay period required
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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: Ad-hoc available at supervisors discretion
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized