Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The incumbent of this position serves as a Nursing Assistant with the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center located in Chicago, IL.

Position availability for the following units: Medical Surgical, Medical Oncology, Telemetry Stepdown, Residential Mental Health, Restorative Care Community Living Center/Acute Rehabilitation.

The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of patient personal care, treatment, and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis.

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.

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Experience, Education or Training.

You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) 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.

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 stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment.

Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

OR, EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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, in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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.

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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required.

The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA must be a mature, flexible, sensible.

individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

The NA must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

GS-5 ASSIGNED DUTIES FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff Provides direct care for complex veterans Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e.

behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms.

Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.

Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Work Schedule: all tours; days, evening, nights; 8 and 12 hour shifts.

Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 06914F, 06913F, 06912F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized