Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is only open to the public. If you are a current, permanent employee of a Federal Agency please apply to vacancy announcement number CBSR-10950329-FY21-CMM.

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The Nursing Assistant (NA) formulates work schedule based on prioritization of the unit needs and assumes responsibility for peer education, orientation, and mentorship. This position supports the community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC's) associated with the Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC). The incumbent is primarily responsible for supporting the clinical staff with phlebotomy, EKG, oximetry, and other health care and diagnostic procedures. He/she will maintain controls in equipment and instruments necessary to support these activities. Good communication skills are a requirement, as the position requires interaction with several providers and a variety of patients needing these health care procedures.

Duties for this position may include but are not limited to:

• Receives/Interprets Requests for Procedures
• Sets Up Equipment, Determines Technical Factors, and Sets Controls
• Schedules procedures, coordinating with other services. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit.
• Operates Equipment and Assists with/or Performs Diagnostic Procedures
• Positions Patients for Procedures - Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Explains procedures, position patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate.
• Teaches Patients Proper Health Care Practices.
• Performs Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
• Prepares and assists in the preparation and cleanup of the procedure room.
• Assists with diagnostic tests such as biopsies. Works with patients using a variety of treatment procedures. Notifies appropriate staff of test/procedure results and ensures they are made part of the medical record.
• Maintains Control Records and Documents Test Results
• Responsible for demonstrating and maintaining full competency in the use, pre-cleaning and/or reprocessing of reusable medical equipment.
• Educational Activities - Completes all annual mandatory training within appropriate timelines. Completes annual competencies and verbalizes learning needs when necessary. Completes skills checklist during orientation. Maintains currency in practice by attending designated in-services.
• Starts assignments promptly and works steadily in an organized manner.
• As well as other assigned duties

Work Schedule: 0730-1600
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:

• U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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 which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level):Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant:Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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
Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 referdeviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic andtreatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucosemonitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and otherhealth professionals.

GS-5 Nursing Assistant: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 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
Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

References: Nursing Assistant, VA HANDBOOK 5005/71, PART II, APPENDIX G46. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. The VA Medical Center is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with admissions for medical co-morbidities. 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 incumbent 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 incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs

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.