Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. Open to current permanent VA employees.

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Duties include but not limited to:

• The NA Escort is responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, residents, equipment, and supplies such as wheelchairs, stretchers, beds, and oxygen tanks, etc. in the outpatient and inpatient care units.
• The NA Escort is responsible for the delivery of patient care and services under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Advance Practice Nurse or MD/DO.
• Transports patients who do not require a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to transport because of their acuity category.
• Escort NAs will assist the RN, physician, or other qualified medical personnel in the transport of acute patients.
• Escort NAs may assist Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing/medical staff with patient transport but will not transport this category of patient without the above staff.
• Escort NAs may provide assistance to psychiatric nursing or medical staff with patient transport. With specialized training, escort NAs may transport low acuity psychiatric patients without assistance, always remaining 1:1 with patient at all times.
• Provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs.
• Provides reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Maintains certification, BCLS, and currency in required education and training as identified by regulating agencies, the RICVAMC, VISN and National Agencies.
• The Escort NA demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment, specialized training to transport patients and specimens, application of technical standards and performance of administrative support duties.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 4pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment TB evaluation
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. 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.
• 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: Experience Requirement: GS-03 Nursing Assistant:

• For GS-03 Entry Level consideration: None beyond the basic requirements.

Experience Requirement: GS-04 Nursing Assistant:

(A) 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,

(B) 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

(C) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.

Experience Requirement: GS-05 Nursing Assistant:

(A) 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

(B) 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

(C) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• 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.

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

Preferred Experience:
Approximately 2-3 years of NA experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. Must be flexible, versatile, reliable, and a team player. Outstanding patient and customer service skills and bedside manner. Excellent communication skills. Practice safe lifting techniques, and assist patients in and out of beds, stretchers, and wheelchairs. Ability to work flexible tours to include weekends and holidays to accommodate patients/resident's needs. Proficient in spoken and written English language. Escort experience preferred but not required.

References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2024. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-03, GS-04, or GS-05.

Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing, frequent bending, and stooping, walking, sitting, pushing, pulling, reaching and repetitive motion. The ability to assist with transporting patients weighing more than 50lbs. Assist non-Ambulatory patients in transferring from bed, stretcher, wheelchair, and back. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes noisy environment. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.

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

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.