Performs nursing care procedures which includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Will be assigned to patients requiring care in all areas where nursing is provided.
• Performs preventive, rehabilitative, restorative nursing procedures: e.g., active and/or passive range of motion (ROM) to assist and motivate the patient to achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living.
• Performs patient care treatments such as simple dressing not requiring medications (e.g. protective dressing on ankles, heels, elbows, etc.)
• Applies external urinary drainage systems (male/female); maintains indwelling urinary catheters, maintains the gravity drainage system, and observes for patency, provides catheter care according to procedures/standards.
• Promptly reports changes in the patient's behavior and or physical condition such as hemorrhaging, respiratory distress, and records nursing assistant interventions performed in the "Progress Notes" which are part of the patient's clinical record.
• Collects patient information for nursing history. Orients patients to unit; assisting in formulating Nursing Care Plans based on information obtained while giving personal patient care; observes and records patient's physical and emotional condition, care given , and patient's response.
• Attends to patients activities of daily living by assisting the patient to attain maximal independence and self-care in bathing, grooming, and feeding; performs rehabilitative nursing procedures such as transfer, ambulation, range of motion, and assists with activities such as bowel and bladder training.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics and operates all equipment safely and in accordance with Safe Patient Handling procedures and training.
• Recognizes and protects patient's right to safety, privacy, and self-determination.

Please Note: Multiple Selections may be made from this announcement. Selectee may be assigned to various areas throughout the Medical Center as needed to satisfy patient care needs. This announcement is being advertised to fill vacancies in areas such as Long Term Care, Mental Health, ER, Escort, Psychiatry, Medical/Surgery, floating units and others.

Work Schedule:

• Day Tour with Rotation: 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, including weekends, holidays, evenings and nights
• Evening Tour: 3:30 PM- 12:00 AM, including weekends and holidays
• Night Tour: 11:30 PM- 8:00 AM, including 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, 09/30/2019.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. All applicants must meet physical requirements for this position. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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.

Creditable Experience

• Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.
• Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.
• Part-Time Experience. 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-3 (Entry Level)
Experience and Education. None above the Basic Requirements

Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4
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;

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 and 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.

Assignment

• Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team 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. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals.
• In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare 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.
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: 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.

Assignment
This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs at this grade level function 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. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47

Preferred Experience

• Current CNA certification strongly preferred
• 1 or more years inpatient Nursing Assistant experience strongly preferred
• Current American Heart Association BLS for healthcare providers credentials
• Ability to prioritize and multitask in a fast paced environment.
• Applicant must be self-motivated, possessing critical thinking and interpersonal relationship skills.
• 2-3 years current experience appropriate to the area applied for (i.e. Long Term Care, Med/Surg, ER, etc.)

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 WILL 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.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.