Clarification from the agency

This position is open to Department employees, Federal Employees, CTAP , ICTAP eligibles and all US Citizens.

Videos

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf

Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf
Major Duties include but are not limited to:
CLINICAL PRACTICE:

1. All duties performed will be completed under close supervision by the Restorative Coordinator and management with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task.
2. Learn to appropriately utilize glucose readings for assigned veteran, maintaining positive therapeutic relations.
3. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording resident observations. The is technical in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to:
   1. Administer oxygen therapy
   2. Provide a range of patient/resident patient care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/resident.
   3. Properly use equipment, materials and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
   4. Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS. Reports all significant deviations to the LVN, RN and/ or other health care provider immediately.
   5. Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and intervenes as directed when appropriate.

COMMUNICATION

1. Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process, utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response.
2. Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response. Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention.
3. Basic knowledge in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data, i.e., CPRS, VISTA, mailman, leave requests, and patient information (progress notes, patient education, etc.).
4. Safeguards patient privacy and maintains confidentiality of all electronic and printed patient information according to HIPAA guidelines, the Privacy Act, and as stated in the Medical Center Memo on ADP Security. Maintains confidentiality of assigned access code and by exiting (logging out) from the ADP system when leaving terminal. Does not share security codes and does not allow others to use the computer under own security codes. Ensures application of institutional policy to protect information from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or deletion. Does not use thumb-drives or other means, such as xeroxing, to remove patient data from the medical center.

COLLABORATION/COLLEGIALITY

1. Demonstrate basic communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation
2. Completes Orientation and accepts responsibility for maintaining clinical competence and knowledge of current nursing practices.
3. Seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.

PROGRAM/ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

1. Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices, and/or request for help when moving, lifting or turning patients.
2. Promptly reports all accidents to supervisor and notify supervisor of any unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations.
3. Demonstrates knowledge of Joint Commission Standards related to patient care, i.e., end of life care, ethics, restraints, patient's rights.
4. Adheres to Center policies and procedures and as well as the provisions of the VA-AFGE Master Agreement and local agreements.

Work Schedule: Thursday-Monday or Friday-Tuesday 0730-1600 with option of compressed tour. primary weekend position, with the understanding that the remaining hours would be during the week.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Functional Statement #: 53055-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• Experience or Education or Training:
  • Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
  • Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
• 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).

Nurses Assistant - Grade Determinations:
GS-3: (Entry Level) None beyond Basic Requirements

GS-4: Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nurses 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; AND,
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5: (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 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 Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• Restorative Nursing Assistant
• Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience
• Restorative Nursing Assistant experience
• Professional Governance participation
• Other role-related technical skills

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 5 Grade level. 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: 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 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 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. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

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, resume, 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.

Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.