Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Nursing Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center serves as a Nursing Assistant (NA) in Nursing Service.

The Nursing Assistant is responsible for providing assistance to the licensed nursing staff in care of patients throughout the facility receiving preventive, acute, subacute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

The work requires knowledge of VA policies and procedures complies with all Cyber and Informational Security Policies and Procedures.

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.

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 - None beyond the basic requirements.

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

GS-04 - 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, in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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-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.

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).

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:

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for assisting the licensed nursing staff in the care of patients throughout the facility receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

The work requires knowledge of VA policies and procedures, comply with all Cyber and Informational Security Policies and Procedures.

The incumbent functions as a member of the Inpatient and Outpatient Nursing services with responsibility for performing variety of specimen collection, clinical tests, patient and specimen transport, and pharmacy transport duties.

The Nursing Assistant will also mentor and educate peers and monitor wheelchair availability throughout the Medical Center to include inpatient and outpatient care.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position carries out the day-to-day operations throughout the facility.

This would include specimen collection to assist the nursing staff with blood draws and lab requests.

The employee will ensure the safe transport of inpatients and emergency room patients to and from therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment and safety measures.

The incumbent is cognizant of the signs and symptoms of impending violence such as increased agitation, yelling, or non-cooperation and takes prompt action.

Transfers, transports, and monitors patients traveling by wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to procedures or medical tests in a safe and efficient manner.

He or she utilizes verbal/written 'handoff' interactive communication that provides opportunity for questioning between the giver and receiver of patient information.

The employee will interact with escort volunteers to determine the most efficient way of accomplishing a transportation request.

Keeps working areas clean and follows safety precautions utilizing sterile techniques and infection control techniques such as hand hygiene, mask wearing, transporting isolated patients, and cleaning wheelchairs after patient use.

Ensures working area are free of obstructions. The employee will obtain and transport laboratory specimens and pharmacy items/paperwork to specified laboratory, and delivery points.

Coordinates transport of patient specimens and medications with escort volunteers.

He or she gathers, stores, and distributes wheelchairs throughout the Medical Center, identifying wheelchairs in need of minor or major repair and removes from service.

Inventories wheelchairs twice per year and notifies VA Police immediately of missing chairs found during inventory or removed from VA property without authorization.

Ensures wheelchairs are available in all entrances to include the Emergency Room at the end of each shift.

The employee maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with federal and state legal regulations; and The Joint Commission requirements to include knowledge of national safety goals.

Complies with HIPAA and Privacy Rules and accesses PII when required for performance of duties and maintains knowledge of new regulations.

Answers telephone calls, provides response, or refers to appropriate staff member. Stocks, replenishing, and preparing supplies and equipment for use. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: To be discussed in interview.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

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

Functional Statement #: 23861-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized