Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center

The Nursing Assistant provides care to adult and geriatric Veteran with varying levels of physical and mental conditions. As an integral part of the nursing team the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans, visitors, coworkers, and other employees of the VA Medical Center and is expected to exercise judgment and to engage RN when necessary. The nursing assistant is expected to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure and techniques as appropriate to the role. 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. Education or Training : One year above high school with courses related to the NA 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. Note : A copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation, or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant (, Nurse Aid Certificate) is required at the time of application. Grandfathering Provisions : 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 : 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 reentry to the occupation. 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. Grade Determinations : The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade. To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below. GS-3 - Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 - Developmental Level 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 (transcripts required). 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 - 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 listed 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 (transcripts required). AND Demonstrated 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. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 81, Part II, Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5. [" Nursing Assistant - This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 04 / 10 / 2024. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. The Nursing Assistant uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing activities at the assigned level with supervision by the registered nurse. The nursing assistant provides care to adult and geriatric Veteran with varying levels of physical and mental conditions. Duties include but are not limited to : Performs a variety of nursing care activities which include bathing, feeding, oral care and related personal hygiene duties. To include coordination of weekly and prn bathing schedule. Assist with range of motion, ambulation, lifting, getting Veteran ready for PT / OT, positioning and self-help activities. Assists with bladder and bowel elimination; may measure and apply condom catheters. Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and alerts appropriate CLC staff to abnormal findings. May reapply nasal oxygen cannula if misplaced from Veterans nares. May obtain full oxygen tank and replace empty oxygen tank for Veteran as needed. Serve as a responsible member of the nursing team requiring interaction with Veterans, family members, professional personnel, supportive personnel and members of other services; responding to concerns of Veterans and visitor in a manner that is effective and improves customer satisfaction. Recognize and properly use equipment, materials and supplies to carry out procedures and other assignments under the direction of the RN or LPN. Observes and reports current observations such as Veterans' physical condition, emotional response, observes skin condition, variations in vital signs, urine, stool or sputum; personal habits of Veteran, and listens for clues to Veteran's reaction to illness and treatment, and reports observation to RN. Assist with admission process of new Veterans to the floor, showing them how to use the TV, call light, and dining area. Initiates laundry list and sends clothing to be labeled. Utilizes principles of body mechanics in Veteran lifting, equipment handling, and Veteran care related to activities. Uses lifting devices and mechanical aids whenever possible. Work Schedule : Day, Evening and Night Shift Available Additional Pay : Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am. Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. This includes continuous service connected to work performed during these hours. Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holiday. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Recruitment / Relocation incentive of up to $10,000 authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. A service agreement will be required. Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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) 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 $ 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. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report : Not required"]