Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The Nursing Assistant (NA) position is located at Kerrville VA Medical Center in Kerrville, Texas.

The NA performs from basic duties under close supervision and functions as a member of the nursing care team to 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, subacute, or chronic states of illness.

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.

Grandfathering Provision: 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-03 (Entry Level) - Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

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

GS-04 (Developmental) - 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.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

All the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) must be demonstrated in your resume to qualify: 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-05 (Full Performance Level)- 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, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

All the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) must be demonstrated in your resume to qualify: 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.

Preferred Experience: Certified Nursing Assistant Certification, 2-3 years experience in inpatient hospital setting, Experience working with adult and geriatric patient population, Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification.

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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Moderate lifting, 15 - 44 pounds; Moderate carrying, 15 - 44 pounds; Pulling hand over hand (8 - 12 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Walking (8-12 hours); Standing (8 - 12 hours); Kneeling (8 - 12 hours); Use of fingers; Both hands required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), May be exposed to infected patients.

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

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Completes all care assignments in a safe and timely manner.

Actively participates in unit level quality improvement activities and attends huddles, team meetings, and assigned committees.

Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output, daily weights, vital signs, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification.

Uses the appropriate equipment for safe patient handling to include but not limited to: SCDs, bladder scanner, Bucks tractions, lift equipment, CPM, glucometer to include maintenance of quality controls as applicable.

Adheres to all reusable medical equipment (RME) standard operating procedures. Participates in the equipment inventory process.

Implements the appropriate interventions to prevent/reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers and patient falls under the direction of the RN/LVN.

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 catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.

May assist with surgical skin preparation to include hair clipping and holding limbs. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the Veteran.

Maintains BLS certification and demonstrates proper procedure in initiating CPR. Transports patients safely and professionally as assigned using hand off communication tool.

Transports medication, supplies, equipment, blood and specimens and any other transport needs as directed.

Monitors patients according to levels of observation i.e., 1:1 veteran as well as veterans in a close observation status in accordance with facility polies.

Age differences - delivers nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years and over. Performs other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider.

Provides assistance with coordination of daily activities under the direction of RN/LVN. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, tours due to 24/7 operational needs.

Must be flexible with scheduling and duty assignments.

Recruitment Incentive (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) 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 54486-8 F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized