Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

Assist with nursing needs, which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

Nurse Assistants at this grade level function as members of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients on Telemetry, and occasionally 2East, 3West, ED.

They assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex and IPU.

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: Citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Experience or 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 (1) 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 (1) year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

Grandfathering Provisions.

All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employments, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education.

None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA 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 NA (Full Performance Level). 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 in subparagraph (c) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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 need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005.

Preferred Experience: CNA experience 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Ability to communicate orally.

Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or Nurse and/or Licensed behavioral problems in a hospital, long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered 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 behavioral crises, etc.

The NA utilizes a glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and refers deviations to the appropriate health care staff. Provides direct care for complex Veterans.

Make observations of subtle changes in the resident's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc., and take 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 personnel.

Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports, deviations, and ensures timely and accurate documentation.

Performs nursing procedures within the 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.

Works on small group activities with patients/residents according to the patients/residents' 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 self-care.

Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, and participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning.

Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident.

Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.

Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other NAs. Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate.

Manages distributed patient behavior and intervenes, and requests assistance from other healthcare members. Appropriately validation. Initiates basic life support and takes appropriate action.

Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines.

Actively participates in annual competency assessment and Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Compressed/Flexible: authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 60191-A 60192-A 601913-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized