Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving acute - sub-acute care or care for chronic illness. This position is located on the inpatient units - resource management - and in the escort department of the medical center. Incumbents in this position are responsible for the entire scope of patient care - to include direct patient care - patient admission - discharge - transfer - errand duties - and delivery of medical supplies/equipment when needed.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• .Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• b
• Experience or Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting 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: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: One year of specialized experience as a nursing assistant or experience in another medical field (LPN - 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 (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• 2
• Ability to observe patients/residents or resident's physical or emotional status of refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5: 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
• 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 (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 Vocation 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 nursing assistants by assisting with 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
• Preferred Experience: One year of experience which has equipped you with the particular knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform successfully the duties of this position - and that is typically in or related to the work of this position as a Nurse Assistant
• References: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration - VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46.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-5 Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (6 hours)
• Pushing (6-10 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (6-10 hours)
• Standing (6-10 hours)
• Kneeling (1 hour)
• Repeated bending (4 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish shades of color
• Hearing (aid permitted)

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: 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
• Leads a team of employees who perform work at the GS 4 level
• Provides guidance and technical direction for accomplishing the work of the team - ensuring work assignments of employees on the team is carried out
• Provides guidance and technical direction for accomplishing the work of the team - ensuring work assignments of employees on the team is carried out
• Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient
• Maintains accountability for the patient until others assume responsibility
• Maintains a safe - secure environment by reporting potential hazards and by implementing safe patient handling and movement practices
• Effective practices such as utilizing body mechanics - initiating protective measures - employing infection control principles - and cleaning/disposing of contaminated equipment
• Assists in emergency responses and medical center disasters with the understanding of being able to transport patients to desire destinations quickly
• Picks up and delivers specimens to laboratory hourly and when requested by the nursing units and all other medical diagnostic areas within the medical center
• Retrieves hospital equipment - i.e. - wheelchairs and stretchers from hospital grounds and parking lots and delivers to proper location in the hospital
• Participates in unit and nursing in-service education - including mandatory reviews
• Performs other appropriate duties as designated by Nurse Manager and /or Nursing Supervisor
• Establishes priorities and organizes work in accordance with patients' needs
• Interacts and communicates appropriately with patient's families and friends
• Demonstrates interest - consideration and understanding with patients
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 3:30pm - 12:00am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS-279 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized