Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to all U.S. Citizens. This position is one of the hybrid title 38 occupations reported among the occupations with the largest staffing shortages and, therefore, under 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the Fiscal Year 2023.

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The Nursing Asssistant is an active participant in the nursing float pool team at the Lexington VA Health Care System and works a rotating tour of duty in Patient Care Services.

1. Bathes, shaves, gives oral hygiene, shampoos hair, provides nail care, active range of motion activity, and other personal needs; such as properly disposing of body wastes, prepares patients for meals, feeds selected patients and/or assists other patients as necessary. Administers tube feedings through gastrostomy tube with mature stoma and sustained skin integrity by bolus or gravity. Notes changes in patient's nutritional needs, and reports to Registered Nurse.
2. Makes beds. Positions, holds, turns, ambulates, and transfers patients. Identifies need for/appropriately applies supportive/protective devices for the protection of the patient and personnel. Utilizes lift aids and good body mechanics. Maintains safe/therapeutic environment by keeping assigned area in orderly and sanitary condition. Maintains cleanliness of all items in patient area. Utilizes Standard Precautions for all contact with body substances, including: urine, blood, saliva, feces, vomitus, wound drainage and other body fluid. Instructs patients and visitors about protective procedures. Sets up patient rooms/isolation/transmission precautions as indicated.
3. Transports patients. Accompanies patients. Assures safety during transportation process; assures proper hand-off and accountability and return of patients. Collects/labels specimens of sputum, urine (routine and sterile), feces, and assists with the collection of other sterile specimens, for storage and/or delivery to the laboratory.
4. Measures/records vital signs, height and weight, intake and output. Reports changes to Registered Nurse. Assists Registered Nurse in monitoring signs or symptoms of intravenous infiltration or dislodgement. Documents patient care and patient response to treatment. Assists in post-mortem care, and helps support family members as needed.
5. Assists members of health care team by obtaining necessary supplies and equipment. Exercises sound judgement in utilization/conservation of supplies used in patient area. Assembles equipment/effectively prepares patient for tests and treatments. Administers cleansing or retention enemas. Performs colostomy/urostomy care after individual instruction. Applies external urinary devices. Discontinues/reconnects oxygen therapy by nasal cannula or mask, and instructs patients on oxygen safety issues. Turns patient/assists in deep breathing/coughing exercises as assigned. Assists during emergency situations, including initiating and/or assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies, and performs errands as requested.
6. Establishes/maintains therapeutic relationship with patients. Observes, reports, and records changes in patients' physical/emotional status, i.e. signs and symptoms that may require intervention or treatment, e.g., respiratory distress, cyanosis, aspiration, infiltration of IV fluids, blood transfusion reaction, unusual behavior, non-verbal signs of pains, stress, or withdrawal. Employs therapeutic/effective communicative skills relating to patients, staff, and visitors. Helps instruct or interpret instructions to patients or family to obtain cooperation in treatments. Provides emotional support for the critically ill/dying patients. Effectively utilizes disturbed/disruptive behavior management techniques. Guides, encourages, and provides basic instructions to patients in achieving maximum motivation, independence, and resocialization and rehabilitation. Participated actively in patient/team conferences. Contributes information to the patient care plan. Conducts small discussion and therapeutic patient groups under the direction of a Registered Nurse.
7. Applies and removes simple sterile and non-sterile dressings and bandages, slings, ace bandages and elastic stockings. Applies sterile and non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs and soaks.
8. Perms oral suctioning. Observing and reports signs of dyspnea, cyanosis, bleeding around the tracheostomy and swelling of the neck. Performs non-invasive procedures, e.g. bladder scan, pulse oximeter, and reports results to the Registered Nurse. Performs glucometer testing as ordered by provider, and documents results.
9. Teaches by example demonstrating proper techniques and treatment principles.
10. Maintains infection control practices. Follows reusable Medical Equipment Memorandums and Standard Operating Procedures.

Preferred Experience: 1 Year or greater experience performing phlebotomy preferred
1 Year or greater experience performing electrocardiogram preferred
1 Year or greater experience performing the duties of a SRNA/CNA preferred
Work Schedule: Various tours of duty, Including weekends and holidays
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Recruitment Incentive: A recruitment incentive is authorized for highly qualified candidates

Conditions of employment

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
• English Language Proficiency: 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).

Preferred Experience: 1 Year or greater experience performing phlebotomy
1 Year or greater experience performing electrocardiogram
1 Year or greater experience performing SRNA/CNA preferred.

Grade Determinations:
GS-3 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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 - 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents.
2 Ability to observe patients/residents 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 patient / residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 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 GS-3/4/5.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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.