Nursing Assistant
As a Nursing Assistant, you will function as a member of the Nursing Care Team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of Veteran patients who are in an acute, sub-acute or chronic state of illness. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Monitor vital signs and perform EKG, upper airway suctioning and routine diagnostic tests to patients Assist physician and nurse in the care and treatment of the ill receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric or outpatient treatment Assist physician and nurse in the performance of diagnostic examinations by setting up of various types of complex medical equipment, e.g. respirators, surgical wound suction equipment, and traction, etc. Assist physician in a variety of diagnostic examination such as lumbar puncture, minor surgical procedures, pap smears, bone marrows, and insertion of chest tubes Report the observations of the changes in patient behavior, bodily complaints and the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage, skin integrity and patency of airway Recognize emergency situations and intervene while awaiting assistance Enter specific information onto the patients' records or charts Identify and report data relative to more complex patient situation including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition Teach patient and family member the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care and after-care instructions. Performs patient care duties, ranging from routine to moderately specialized within patient care units Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells or intercom systems to determine patients' needs Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support Document or report observations of patient behavior, complaints or physical symptoms to nurses Gather information from caregivers, nurses or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output and report changes to medical or nursing staff Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds or blood in urine Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities Record patient's weight, vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pule or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed or have restricted mobility, turn or reposition bedridden patients Explain medical instructions to patient and/or family members Follow safe patient handling guidelines when lifting or moving patient on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables or stretchers Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, and ensure proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel Participate in developing and implementing a plan of care with nurses DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION:
Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, 8 or 12 Hours Shifts depending on the needs of the unit. The employees in these positions will rotate between day, evening, and night shifts as needed to ensure staffing coverage as well as rotating weekends and holidays as assigned. Employees are entitled to receive night differential, weekend premium and holiday pay. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/31/2020. 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. Education or Training:
One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application will not be reviewed.) English Language Proficiency:
Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. 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). Grandfathering Provision:
All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) 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:
(1) 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. (2) 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 reentry to the occupation. Preferred
Experience:
Minimum one year of direct patient care experience in a Critical Care setting; CPR Experience and current BLS card; Certification preferred Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Creditable
Experience:
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. To be creditable, Nursing Assistant (NA) experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 (i.e., functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assists 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, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness). (The experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable.); 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 (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application will not be reviewed.); AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. 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.2. 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.3. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46. Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard GS-621. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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, stopping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The employee may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and procedures. The employee may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The employee must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The employee may be pushing gurneys and wearing lead aprons.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Monitor vital signs and perform EKG, upper airway suctioning and routine diagnostic tests to patients Assist physician and nurse in the care and treatment of the ill receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric or outpatient treatment Assist physician and nurse in the performance of diagnostic examinations by setting up of various types of complex medical equipment, e.g. respirators, surgical wound suction equipment, and traction, etc. Assist physician in a variety of diagnostic examination such as lumbar puncture, minor surgical procedures, pap smears, bone marrows, and insertion of chest tubes Report the observations of the changes in patient behavior, bodily complaints and the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage, skin integrity and patency of airway Recognize emergency situations and intervene while awaiting assistance Enter specific information onto the patients' records or charts Identify and report data relative to more complex patient situation including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition Teach patient and family member the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care and after-care instructions. Performs patient care duties, ranging from routine to moderately specialized within patient care units Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells or intercom systems to determine patients' needs Collect specimens, such as urine, feces, or sputum Communicate with patients to ascertain feelings or need for assistance or social and emotional support Document or report observations of patient behavior, complaints or physical symptoms to nurses Gather information from caregivers, nurses or physicians about patient condition, treatment plans, or appropriate activities Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output and report changes to medical or nursing staff Observe or examine patients to detect symptoms that may require medical attention, such as bruises, open wounds or blood in urine Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities Record patient's weight, vital signs, such as temperature, blood pressure, pule or respiration rate, as directed by medical or nursing staff Exercise patients who are comatose, paralyzed or have restricted mobility, turn or reposition bedridden patients Explain medical instructions to patient and/or family members Follow safe patient handling guidelines when lifting or moving patient on or off beds, examination tables, surgical tables or stretchers Transport specimens, laboratory items, or pharmacy items, and ensure proper documentation and delivery to authorized personnel Participate in developing and implementing a plan of care with nurses DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION:
Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Work Schedule:
Full-Time, 8 or 12 Hours Shifts depending on the needs of the unit. The employees in these positions will rotate between day, evening, and night shifts as needed to ensure staffing coverage as well as rotating weekends and holidays as assigned. Employees are entitled to receive night differential, weekend premium and holiday pay. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/31/2020. 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. Education or Training:
One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application will not be reviewed.) English Language Proficiency:
Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. 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). Grandfathering Provision:
All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) 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:
(1) 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. (2) 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 reentry to the occupation. Preferred
Experience:
Minimum one year of direct patient care experience in a Critical Care setting; CPR Experience and current BLS card; Certification preferred Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Creditable
Experience:
To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. To be creditable, Nursing Assistant (NA) experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 (i.e., functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assists 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, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness). (The experience must be supported by your resume to be creditable.); 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 (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED:
If you do not submit your transcript, your application will not be reviewed.); AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. 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.2. 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.3. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46. Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard GS-621. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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, stopping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The employee may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and procedures. The employee may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The employee must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The employee may be pushing gurneys and wearing lead aprons.
- Department:
0621 Nursing Assistant - Salary Range:
$39,873 to $51,837 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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