Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S. Citizen (Consideration Order - 1. CP/CPS; 2. XP; 3. TP; 4. SSP; 5. All others [NOTE: Non-Vets will be referred only after all preference eligible applicants have been exhausted.])

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Nursing Assistants (NA) function as a two member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient and inpatient 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. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Identifies the needs of patients and performs a range of personal nursing care duties which include feeding, bathing, oral hygiene, nail care, hair care, and related personal hygiene duties.
• Application and care of external catheter.
• Provides post-mortem care.
• Utilizes proper body mechanics to move, lift and transfer patients.
• Makes beds.
• Answers patient's calls expediently.
• Assists and/or escorts selected patients by minibus, car and ambulance to and from hospital, Community Living Centers, etc.
• Assists patients in use of ADL devices.
• Provides indwelling catheter care according to procedure.
• Assists with orientation of new patients to the unit and inspects their personal belonging in accordance with Medical Center Memorandum as directed by the professional nurse.
• Performs enteral tube feedings (gastrostomy tube and naso-gastric tube feedings.)
• Gives individual care and attention to critically ill, emotionally unstable, and patients with multiple complex problems.
• . Demonstrates support of individual patient choices, dignity, autonomy and preferred routines. (for example, allows patient to choose preferred bathing time, bedtime)
• Encourages patients to increase their physical and emotional independence by giving, directing, instructing and supervising them in their care.
• Participates in developing the plan of care for individual patients during team conferences.
• Offers emotional support to the dying patient and/or family members.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts. Alternating weekends and holidays
Compressed/Flexible:Not authorized for this position.
Telework: Not authorized for this position.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Not authorized for this position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant-Sitter/Transport Program/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized for this position.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized for this position.
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 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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.
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice and the Nursing Assistant (NA) experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

GS-5
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.
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 nursing assistants 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.

Preferred Experience: CNA Certification

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46. Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The work will require physical endurance and physical tolerance. The employee is alert to the possibility of patient assault and may need to protect herself/himself using non-abusive physical intervention techniques. The incumbent must have full range of motion of each joint. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially 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 wear 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 psychiatric disorders. These are essential functions of the position.

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.