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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Ensures and contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.
• Performs nursing care to meet patient's personal hygiene needs and physical comfort (i.e., bathing, feeding, positioning, turning, and lifting).
• Assists in patient rehabilitation such as correct positioning to prevent deformities.
• Assists in patients activities of daily living including ambulation.
• Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatment performed, and change inpatient's condition, behavior, and/or attitude.
• Observes and reports both obvious and more subtle changes in patients' condition or emotional status, e.g., signs of post-operative shock, hemorrhages, cyanosis, respiratory distress, aspiration of mucus, infiltration of IV fluids, or different or unusual behavior.
• Cares for patients with communicable diseases for which standard precautions are required.
• Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene.
• Collects urine, sputum, and stool specimens.
• Takes and records vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure; and measuring height and weight.
• Assists in supervising patients in transfer activities, personal hygiene, preventing spread of infectious diseases, and in the preventive and rehabilitative aspects of care.
• Applies oxygen as directed by the Registered Nurse and assists with nebulization treatments (except ultrasonic). Medication for nebulization must be prepared/administered by the RN/LPN.
• Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center Policy.
• After receiving documented training and demonstrating competence, assists with setting up and operating special equipment.
• Follows Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures for inventorying and securing patients' belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures, hearing aids, eyes, and limbs.
• Provides emotional support to patients/families. Respects patients' rights and dignity, including privacy and confidentiality.
• Participates in patient care conferences and contributes to the formulation of nursing care plans.
• Observes safety, sanitary, and fire prevention rules/regulations.
• Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle and wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints and padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive, threatening behaviors and documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS). At the RN's direction, initiates Code Yellow as necessary.
• Assists with the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients according to medical center or nursing service policies. Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions.

Work Schedule: 40 hour workweek - variable shifts (8 to 12 hours shift). Candidate must be willing to work weekends, holidays, and irregular or extended work hours.
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:

• 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.
• 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:
GS-3 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4: (a) Experience: Oneyear of specialized experience as a nursing assistant or experience in another medical field (LPN, 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
(b)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 of 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.

GS-5 (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
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients with physical and/or behavioral problems in an outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
2. Ability to communicate orally with patients, 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 care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

(d) 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: The position involves considerable standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, pushing, lifting, turning, and repositioning patients. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments. In addition to the aforementioned duties, it may involve moving equipment also in excess of 40lbs. The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to enable to incumbent to perform his/her duties.

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.

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.