Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The NA embraces patient-family centered care principles. The incumbent practices excellent customer service in all work activities.

The NA must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds.

The NA makes caring for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work. The NA is willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments.

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.

Experience or Education or Training. (1) [Six months of general experience.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,] (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, (3) 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 for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-3 NA (Entry Level): (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.(b) Assignments.

Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA: (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.

ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.

iii 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.

iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)( a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs.

i 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.

ii 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.

iii 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-5.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-4.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Patient Education, Health Promotion, and Counseling: Provides education to veterans regarding their health conditions, medications, and self-care strategies to promote independence, health literacy, and informed decision-making.

Documents all education and counseling provided. - Medication Assistance: Assists with medication reminders and processes related to basic medication administration within scope of practice.

- Emotional Support and Advocacy: Offers emotional support, advocates for veterans' needs, and facilitates social engagement, participation in activities, and group interactions to enhance overall well-being.

- Veteran Monitoring and Environmental Observation: Performs scheduled rounding, veteran location monitoring, searches, and environmental observations to identify contraband, subtle changes in condition, behavior, mood, or condition and responds appropriately by notifying the nursing staff or rehab technician supervisor.

Ensures a safe environment by reporting hazards, removing defective equipment, and maintaining infection control standards.

Clinical Monitoring and Procedures: - Utilizes glucose monitoring machines to obtain glucose readings, reports deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.

- Makes observations of subtle changes in residents' conditions and responds within scope.

- Provides direct care for complex veterans, including performing nursing procedures such as enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, application of braces and prosthetic devices, and monitoring intake/output.

- Monitors and documents patient intake and output accurately and timely.

- Performs vital signs assessment including blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and pulse oximetry, and documents findings appropriately.

- Conducts EKG measurements, if trained and within scope, and documents results accurately. - Recognizes residents' autonomy, promotes independence through respect and individualized treatment.

- Participates in mass vaccination efforts according to competency, scope, and policy. Care Planning and Team Participation: - Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings as needed.

- Provides verbal and written information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran's plan of care.

- Enters resident condition updates into the electronic medical record using appropriate formats. - Works on small group activities aligned with the residents' treatment plans.

- Participates in all required huddles and team meetings. Equipment Use and Patient Self-Care Promotion: - Utilizes equipment such as lift devices to promote self-care and safety.

Safety and Infection Control: - Maintains a clean, safe environment, adhering to safety regulations and infection control protocols. - Serves as a unit's safe patient handling liaison.

- Removes defective equipment and reports hazards promptly. Team Support and Mentorship: - Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other nursing assistants.

- Orient new team members to the unit's operations and standards.

- Functions as a member of the unit-based council Behavior Management and Emergency Response: - Manages patient behavior appropriately, intervening as needed and requesting assistance from other healthcare team members.- Appropriately initiates basic life support and takes necessary emergency actions.

Documentation and Communication: - Documents care activities, observations, responses, vital signs, EKG measurements, and resident progress in charts and appropriate forms.

- Communicates effectively with the treatment team, family, and caregivers when necessary. Work Schedule: Wed- Sat: 0530-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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)