Clarification from the agency

ALL U.S. CITIZENS

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment, instruments and monitors.
• Assists patients with setting up oxygen, cpap etc.
• Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc.
• Uses phones, patient lift equipment, and camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system.
• Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate.
• Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN.
• Notifies RN of results and ensures original results are made part of the permanent record.
• Maintain administrative and clinical files. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit.
• Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed or patient is discharged.
• Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting and eliminating potential hazards.
• Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks.
• Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings.
• Performs one-to-one observations of patients.
• Conducts camera monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc.
• Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed.
• Takes emergency actions in all situations, ex: cardio-pulmonary arrests, Disruptive Behavior incidents, fires, disasters etc.
• Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed.
• Obtains release forms.
• Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance.
• Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs and weight and checking patients and their belongings for hazardous items.
• Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of clients receiving medical care for psychiatric or substance abuse treatment.
• Observes, documents, and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, appearance, vital signs and/or changes in the patients' condition that may be related to medications, sensory distortions or medical conditions. Reports reactions to/responses to treatment.
• Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care.
• Delivers meals and /or snacks to patients and assists as needed.
• Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding and assisting patients as needed in activities of daily living.
• Accompanies/escorts patients on activities and to appointments, treatments etc. in other areas of the hospital or off hospital grounds.
• Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms, collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory.
• Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition.
• Uses hot/cold packs as ordered. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with Nursing Procedure grid) such as removing peripheral IVs, electrocardiograms, bladder scan, venipuncture for collection of blood specimen, finger-sticks for glucose determination.
• Demonstrates acceptable behavior as a role model for patient behavior.
• Encourages patient and family to actively participate in the individualized treatment plan.
• Encourages positive patient-family relationships.
• Provides specific health information based on the patients' condition, including facility health promotion programs.
• Gives patient and family after-care instructions.
• Conducts patient meetings and groups.
• Maintains patient and clinical records from admission to discharge.
• Provides personal patient care, and educating patients on pre-testing and post procedure activities. Documents patients' physical and emotional status and response to nursing interventions, using the problem oriented medical record format.
• Secures patient confidence and cooperation during hospital stay.
• Promotes a sense of ego integrity, self-worth and dignity by acknowledging patients' acceptable behavior and progress toward recovery.
• Handles Clerical/Administrative Support Coordination Requirement
• Provides general clerical administrative support coordination work for the unit.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Rotating to include nights/days/holidays/weekends
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title:Nursing Assistant
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30,2022.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 1, 2022, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**

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/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 (Please see Specialized Experience/Education below in for requirements to be considered for the GS-05 level).
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-03: Nothing beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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.

In addition to meeting the experience or education requirements applicants must be proficient in 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-05: 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.

In addition to meeting the experience or education requirements applicants must be proficient in the following 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, Nursing Assistant Qualification.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.

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.