Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). First consideration will be given to permanent employees of the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS).

Videos

Duties include but not limited to:

• Performs a variety of therapeutic and supportive tasks in assisting physicians and other professional personnel in the psychiatric unit with veterans of post-trauma stress disorder, serious mental illness and a variety of psychological needs that may have a psychiatric diagnosis.
• Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients.
• Ensures that patients are oriented to unit's schedule, policies and procedures.
• Observes, reports and documents current observations such as patients' physical condition, emotional response and results of procedures, observe skin conditions, variations in vital signs, personal habits of patients, and listen for clues, obvious and subtle, to patients reaction to illness and treatment which have relevance to the health status of the patient.
• Recognizes the need for and initiates emergency measures in life threatening situations.
• Assists in cardiac monitoring or resuscitation procedures and with the choking victim.
• Initiates and participates in urine collection for drug screening as indicated.
• Assists selected patients with activities such as range of motion, ambulating, positioning and self- help activities of daily living.
• Works with appropriately orientate/train less experienced Nursing Assistant in relation to acceptable standards of practice in promoting optimal patient care delivery.
• Escort patients to appointments, off-station.
• Responds to patient call lights in a timely and courteous manner.
• Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality to include patient records/information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Rotating Tour of Duty
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, 11/23/2020.

Basic Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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.
• Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English

Preferred Experience:

• One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field (health technician, hospital corpsman), observing, acting and/or reporting activities of the well and acutely ill patient that may require immediate attention in an inpatient ward or outpatient clinic.
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant is preferred.

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

GS-3 Nursing Assistant (NA) (Entry Level).
Experience, Education and Certification. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant (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.

GS-5 Nursing Assistant (NA) (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) 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 5005/71, Part II, Appendix G46. This can be found in the local Human Resources Offices.

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: 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 secondary 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. In addition, the incumbent must be emotionally stable and adjust to different types of personalities, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern. He or she must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action as directed and use initiative in preventing accidents.

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.