Nursing Assistant (Community Living Center)

Full Job Description

The Nursing Assistant (Community Living Care Center) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

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 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 English Language Proficiency.

Nursing Assistant must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3 section A, paragraph 3j 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).

Physical Requirements.

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Preferred Experience: 2 years work experience - Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Hospital Acute Care experience within the last 2 years or Community Nursing or Home Patient care in the last 2 years Preferred Certification(s) CNA I or CNA II Grade Determinations: GS-03: (Entry Level) Experience and Education.

None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 are considered to be at entry level and are closely supervised. GS-04: Experience.

One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range or 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. Assignments.

Individuals assigned as a GS-4 are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised.

Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants, 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/residents who are in acute, sun-acute, or chronic states of illness.

The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded Nursing Assistants or other healthcare professionals.

GS-05: 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 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 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 an other personnel.

This includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level.

Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patient/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic state of illness.

The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

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: 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 incumbent 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 incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible 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:

The Nursing Assistant (NA), Community Living Care (CLC) performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran.

The NA performs procedures such as enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.

The Community Living Center is a 66-bed facility that provides long term care, hospice, palliative care, rehab, and extended care services to eligible veterans within an Interdisciplinary environment.

Three

distinct neighborhoods make up the CLC: a 10-bed Hospice Unit, and a 66-bed combination Long Term Care/Short Stay Unit/Rehabilitation.

All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task.

Additional duties are but are not limited to the following: Provides direct care for complex veterans and obtains vital signs/capillary blood glucose results Utilizes glucose monitoring machines to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.

Collect specimens and perform routine testing under supervision. Performs observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc.

and acts accordingly within NA's assigned role.

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

Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate electronic health record (EHR) or forms. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.

Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately.

Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient/resident needs for: Personal Hygiene Physical Comfort Activity, Exercise, Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Performs Preventive Maintenance of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) Monitors Snoezelen room Psychiatric Acute Recovery Center (PARC) Consistent assignment Community Living Center (CLC Work Schedule: Full time, Evening tour 3:30pm-12:00 am.

with alternate weekends/holidays. (Alternate Tour of duty may be required) 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