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Nursing Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

VA Nebraska - Western Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for full time Nursing Assistants and intermittent Nursing Assistants under this job announcement. Applicants should specify which work schedule(s) they are applying for within the announcement questionnaire.

The NA provides direct patient care to patients requiring nursing care and observation on a regular and ongoing basis in a Medical, Surgical, and Rehabilitation, Mental Health or CLC inpatient/outpatient unit.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open date: 12/03/2021
Closed date: 03/03/2022
Location
5 vacancies in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$28,939 - $47,248 per year

Salary listed is for full time (40 hours per week) hours. Pay for intermittent positions will be pro-rated based on hours worked.

Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 5
Promotion potential
5
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Multiple Schedules - Two intermittent positions, three full time positions.
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
CBSY-11314175-22-TRC
Control number
624962000

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration includes all U.S. Citizens and other current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. This announcement is open continuous, with certificates issued bi-weekly to hiring managers until all positions have been filled.

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Duties

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Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Personal hygiene tasks include bathing, oral and denture care, nail care, shaving/hair care, general grooming and bed-making.
  • Responsible for positioning and movement of patients.
  • Preparing patients and assisting with dining/meals.
  • Checking and recording intake and output, including calorie counts.
  • Reporting to RN if tube feeding or IV fluids are running low.
  • Providing patients with water, ice and snacks.
  • Observing, reporting and recording patient bowel and bladder function.
  • Helping patients with bedpans and urinals.
  • Orients patients tot he unit and interacts with patients and families to help them feel comfortable.
  • Participates in the admission, transfer and discharge of patients as assigned.

***Recruitment & Relocation Incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates***


Work Schedules:

Intermittent positions - Minimum of one 8 hour shift per pay period; Saturday through Sunday; varying shifts, weekend, and holidays.

Full time positions - Sunday through Saturday; Varying Shifts; with Weekend Rotations.

Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant/PD00000 and PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - to be discussed during interview
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

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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 vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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. (**MUST submit transcript with one year of courses related to NA occupation OR certificate from occupation-related course of study with application, see required documents**)
  • Physical Requirements: See 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.
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 NA (Entry Level):

Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

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.

GS-5 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, Part II, Appendix G46 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, Veterans Health Administration.

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.


***Recruitment & Relocation Incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates***


Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying 15-25 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices; pushing and/or pulling for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently; use of both hands and legs required; walking, repeated bending, kneeling and/or standing 8-12 hours, intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently; near vision correctable at 13-16'' to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); twisting, simple grasp, and fine manipulation; working closely with others and protracted or irregular hours of work.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. * Please ensure your graduation/completion date can be seen on your documentation provided *

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Welcome to the Heartland of America and The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System. Omaha's cost of living is 8 % lower than the U.S. average. The Nebraska unemployment rate is 2.9 %, which is decreased from the U.S. average of 4.1, and jobs have increased by 1.2% in 2017. It was ranked #13 in the U.S. for the "Top States for Business" in 2017. Home to four Fortune 500 companies. Omaha continues to be recognized as a wonderful community where affordability and a strong economy attract young professionals, while safety, and a plethora of education options and family-friendly activities are appealing to those with kids. The median home cost is $158,700 with appreciate average rates at 1.8%, which have gone up 9.8% over the past year. An average commute time is approximately 20 minutes in the Omaha metro area.

VA NWIHCS is an integrated system that serves more than 148,000 Veterans in 101 counties in Nebraska, western Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. It includes a tertiary medical center in Omaha, two larger clinics in Lincoln and Grand Island (which includes a Community Living Center), five community-based outpatient clinics, and one contract clinic.

Agency contact information

Daniel Neal
Phone
319-338-0581 X636757
Email
daniel.neal3@va.gov
Address
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha
4101 Woolworth Avenue
Omaha, NE 68105
US

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