Job Description
Summary
The Nursing Assistants 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 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.
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
- One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
- Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Physical Requirements
- Heavy lifting (45 lbs
- and over)
- Heavy carrying (45 lbs
- and over)
- Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
- Pushing (up to 8 hours)
- Reaching above shoulders
- Use of fingers
- both hands required
- walking (up to 8 hours)
- standing (up to 8 hours)
- kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
- repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
- both legs required
- hearing (aid permitted)
- English Language Proficiency: 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements
- GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field - 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 - 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
- In addition to the above - applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents
- 2 Ability to observe patients/residents physical or emotional status and 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 patient / 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 assignments -OR- 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
- In addition the above - applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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
- 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 the 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
- Preferred Experience: Spinal Cord Injury Geriatrics Long-Term Care Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
- VA Handbook 5005 Part II - Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is 5
- The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5
- Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
- and over)
- Heavy carrying (45 lbs
- and over)
- Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
- Pushing (up to 8 hours)
- Reaching above shoulders
- Use of fingers
- both hands required
- walking (up to 8 hours)
- standing (up to 8 hours)
- kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
- repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
- both legs required
- hearing (aid permitted).
Duties
- The Nursing Assistants function 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 Nursing Assistant will also assumes a peer education/mentorship
- The Nursing Assistant is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute
- The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
- The duties include but are not limited to: Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
- Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
- Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.: a
- Personal Hygiene b
- Physical comfort c
- Activity - Exercise - Rest d
- Nutrition e
- Elimination f
- Prevention of Skin Breakdown g
- Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
- Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
- Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
- Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
- Uses proper safety practices
- Work Schedule: 15:30-Midnight Pay Scale: 001M Grade 3 V1MG Grades 4/5 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
- Functional Statement #: 50822-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
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