Clarification from the agency

This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19. A detailed resume which clearly shows qualifying experience as listed in the Qualifications Section is required for each grade level.

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• Deliver care to patients in a respectful, non-judgmental manner.
• Maintain patient privacy/confidentiality and patient rights to privacy/confidentiality.
• Set limits within the Nursing Assistant/patient relationship.
• Participates in selected Performance Improvement (PI) activities as directed.
• Assist with selected activities related to patient admission/transfer and discharge.
• Collect patient information including observation of overall condition.
• Recognize and report obvious changes in patient condition including emergencies.
• Take appropriate actions in response to patient emergent situations.
• Accurately document patient information on flow sheets and CPRS.
• Provide patient information to the accountable RN for inclusion in the patient's plan of care.
• Use appropriate lifting/moving/transfer techniques/devices.
• Utilize infection control and universal standard precautions.
• Participate in the interdisciplinary team care planning and delivery of care process.
• Knowledgeable of stages of adult development and how it may relate to nursing care; provides input to RN related to patient's stage of adult development and provides care to patients in a variety of stages of adult development.
• Recognizes communication barriers.
• Promotes use of ambulation devices.
• Recognizes safety risks related to dementia, delirium and psychiatric disorders.
• Assist in the initiation of behavioral management as directed. Appropriately uses protective and restraining devices.
• Monitors patients on a 1:1 observation using worksheets and assignment sheets.
• Offers physiological, psychological and spiritual comfort to the patient.
• Assist with toileting activities as appropriate. Apply and provide routine care for a condom catheter
• Promote skin healing through the application of non-complex dressing changes and the application of ostomy appliances as delegated by the accountable RN.
• Perform finger stick blood glucose using the blood glucose monitor.
• Complete purposeful rounding of patients, assisting with any care needs, keeping team lead and charge nurse informed of any patient issues/concerns.

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. If selected, Applicant will provide proof of current certification prior to employment. Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted.

Work Schedule: Marion, IL location - Potential rotating shifts 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m., will include weekends and Federal holidays. There are six (6) 12 hour shifts and one (1) 8 hour shift per pay period.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All 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.
• 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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

Qualifications

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.
• 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.
• Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant (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.

Preferred Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of med/surg, long term care, hospice or rehab Nursing Assistant experience within the last five 5 years.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 NA
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 health care professionals.

GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
(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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below;
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) Demonstrated 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 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621, Dated March 12, 2015.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: Position requires light to heavy lifting and carrying (15 pounds - 45 pounds and over), pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, walking (5 hours), standing (3 hours), repeated bending (2 hours), use of fingers and both hands required. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Depth perception, and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shade of colors. Hearing (aid permitted).

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.