Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital.

The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of a professional nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of Veterans receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Patient assignments involve both basic and more complex nursing care within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.

English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written 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 an NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

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. Grade Requirements: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements.

NAs at this grade NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised.

GS-4: To qualify at the GS-4 level, you must meet the following: Experience: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two (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.

In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate all of 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 residents' 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: 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 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 to the experience above, you must demonstrate all of the following 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 the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

Preferred Experience: 1 - 2 years of Acute Long term care/Rehab experience is 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-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: 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 mature, flexible, and sensible.

An 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:

As a Nursing Assistant you will perform a wide range or patient personal care, diagnostic services, treatment, and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis.

You will deliver safe and individualized nursing care on patients with multiple complex needs. Provide care that addresses physical, emotional, rehabilitative, and spiritual needs or veterans.

You will function as part of a nursing team and care is focused under the Charge RN.

Duties include, but are not limited to: 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.

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, monitoring of - Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.

Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment.- Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings.

Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.

Work Schedule: 7:30pm - 8:00am, Monday to Friday and alternate every other weekend and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 02794F, 02806F,02810F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Salary Ranges: GS-3: $39,373 - $51,190 GS-4: $44,197 - $57,460 GS-5: $49,449 - $64,285