Summary

The Nursing Assistant GS-3 is the entry level nursing position; the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills to provide care to patients/residents in a health care setting. The Nursing Assistant GS-4 level is at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The Nursing Assistant GS-5 is the full performance level position; assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents.

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency
• NAs 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS3: (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: (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: 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) (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
• 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
• NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D)
• See Part II - Chapter 3 - paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• DUTIES: GS3: The NA is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home - or community living care - acute - sub-acute
• The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
• Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Obtain and maintain level 3 prevention and management of disruptive behavior (PMDB) GS4: The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home - or community living care - acute - sub-acute
• The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment
• Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients - such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing - simple dressing changes Obtain and maintain level 3 prevention and management of disruptive behavior (PMDB) GS5: The NA may perform theses duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute
• The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate format
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members
• Obtain and maintain level 3 prevention and management of disruptive behavior (PMDB) Work Schedule: 7:45am-8:15pm Monday-Friday
• alternating weekends Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized