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The Nursing Assistant works as a member of a team of other nursing personnel to provide direct care to inpatients and outpatients. The NA is assigned to specific patients and duties but not limited to: vital signs including weights and pulse oximetry with documentation, venipuncture/phlebotomy, acquisition of 12 Lead ECG's, finger stick blood sugar measurements, simple dressing changes, measuring intake and output, managing/emptying drainage devices, helping the patient to transfer from the bed to a chair and back, toileting, hygiene, ambulation, changes in position, comfort care, and other direct care related responsibilities. She/he may work in clinics screening patients preoperatively / pre­procedural (i.e. EKG, phlebotomy, demographic, etc.) under the direction of a physician or midlevel provider in outpatient clinics.

Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Participating in the health care team, under the direct supervision of the RN or MD/DO, providing a full range of basic nursing care.
• Interacting with patients, family members, professionals, and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care.
• Providing basic nursing care to the patient/resident that includes baths, personal hygiene, nutrition (feeding), elimination and intake and output.

Work Schedule: Varies based on facility needs
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

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 [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: Must pass a pre-employment physical per 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.

Grade Determinations:

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. Examples of qualifying experience include, but may not be limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff, and other members of a 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. 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

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, dated March 12, 2015

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-5.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The position potentially requires 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 secondaiy to delirium, dementia, or other 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.