Clarification from the agency

Current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other current permanent Federal employees

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The nursing assistant's duties include: assisting patients with bathing and dressing, eating; taking vital signs and reporting them to the RN; turning and repositioning patients; ambulating patients; collecting patient specific information and reporting them to the RNs; providing and emptying bedpans and urinals; recording input and output; lifting patients (using lift equipment) into beds, stretchers, and wheelchairs; answering call lights and responding appropriately; changing bed sheets; restocking supplies.

Work Schedule: 0730-2000/1930-0800; Possible rotation to include weekends and holidays
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• 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 less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
• Preferred Experience: One to Two years of nursing assistant experience. Current Medical/Surgical Experience
  
  Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
  GS3: Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
  
  GS4: Experience: 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:
• 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' 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 a 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.
• GS5 (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;
  
  -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, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard
  
  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: 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 NA 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 NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA 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 be willing to complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.


Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.