Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizen (Consideration Order - 1. CP/CPS; 2. XP; 3. TP; 4. SSP; 5. All others [NOTE: Non-Vets will be referred only after all preference eligible applicants have been exhausted.])

Videos

Nursing Assistant (NA) functions independently under the purview of the Nurse Manager/Assistant Unit Manager or designee. At the full performance level (GS-05), nursing assistant will assist supervisory staff by providing assistance and guidance to lower level Nursing Assistants during the tour of duty. He/she may suggest and implement reassignments as patient care requirements change, with the approval of the supervisory RN. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Apply increased knowledge and skills in identifying and meeting the bio-psychosocial needs of patients with health problems
• Demonstrate above average ability in recognizing, interpreting and reporting significant patient care information to appropriate personnel and document findings and interventions
• Act as a patient advocate in ensuring patients receive all necessary care in an efficient manner
• Demonstrate motivation and creativity in addressing problems, which impede patient care
• Evaluate the patient environment to ensure it is safe, clean and comfortable at all times
• Present basic educational programs and information to groups of patients or staff
• Identify patients with difficulty in performing ADL and plans individualized programs in cooperation with the Registered Nurse (RN) to aid in maximizing independence
• Share increased knowledge and skill in observation, communication, intervention and documentation abilities with other staff members
• Evaluate own clinical performance and discusses the results with the RN
• Plan patient activities, appointments, and assignments to eliminate conflicts and work individually with patients resistive to treatment to encourage acceptance
• Provide nursing care, which is based on accepted principles of nursing and reflects empathetic understanding of the patient
• Assist in planning and conducting individual and group activities (patient counsel, reality orientation, sensory stimulation, unit orientation, patient education, social skills and recreational activities) on and off station that are appropriate to patient needs and current levels of functioning and maximizes independence
• Recognize medical and psychiatric emergencies and institutes proper measure by summoning professional assistance on and off station
• Perform more complex medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN
• Set up special medical equipment as instructed and maintains equipment and furniture list for the assigned unit
• Assist the RN and physician in a variety of diagnostic examinations
• Follow universal precautions as appropriate, demonstrates competence according to isolation, infection control, and Tuberculosis (TB) policy/procedure
• Perform other related duties as assigned

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: Shift Work. Alternating 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/21/2020.

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/DOCUMENT REQUIRED: If you do not submit your transcript, your application may not be reviewed.)
• 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.

Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date (March 12, 2015) of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Preferred Experience: CNA license, previous mental health experience

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice and the 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-05 (Full Performance Level) Experience and Education: (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., functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs as following; 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) 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. (UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT AND/OR CLEAR DETAILS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: If you do not submit the required document, your application may not be reviewed.)

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46. Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The work will require long periods of regular and recurring standing and walking with regular and recurring lifting and positioning of patients while maintaining balance. Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, move body and extremities quickly, push and pull equipment, and carry equipment and supplies without any personal limitations or physical restrictions. Long periods of sitting with an assigned patient may be required. Physical endurance and physical tolerance is required for a 12 hour shift as assigned. These are essential functions of the position. The employee is alert to the possibility of patient assault and may need to protect herself/himself using non-abusive physical intervention techniques. The incumbent must have full range of motion of each joint. He/she must be able to grasp, maintain balance, and lower a patient safely to the floor unassisted while physically controlling a violent patient. They must have fine motor skills to effectively operate locking restraints. These are essential functions of the position.

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.