Clarification from the agency

OPEN TO CURRENT PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEES ONLY

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GS-3 ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Practices within the scope and certification of a NA in the nursing unit, clinic, area of assignment, and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics.
• Provides care of patients/residents and their environment, contributing to optimizing patient/resident outcomes as a member of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families, and/or significant others, utilizing learned communication skills.
• Provides reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice, providing optimal outcomes for patients, residents, visitors, and employees.
• Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events, and other therapeutic groups.
• Recognizes, responds, and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergencies such as cardiac and/or respiratory failure
• Participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships.

GS-4 ASSIGNED DUTIES, FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Practices within the scope and certification of a CNA in the nursing unit, clinic, and area of assignment, and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics.
• Provides direct patient/resident care in the provision of the psychological, physical, social, and cultural activities of daily living, complete and supportive.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences/shift reports, and contribute information for the development and review of the nursing care plan.
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.
• Demonstrates competency in all entry-level NA skills, but not limited to:
  • a. Application of a sequential compression device
  • b. Oral/Pharyngeal Suction
  • c. Care of a gastrostomy site
  • d. Tap water/soap enemas for bowel care
  • e. Continuous passive motion device
  • f. Feedings of patients/residents with dysphagia
  • g. Use of bladder scanner
• Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, and simple dressing changes.

GS-5 ASSIGNED DUTIES, FUNCTIONS, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrates competency in all GS 3 and GS 4 NA skills, but not limited to:

1. Sterile surgical dressing changes, including but not limited to dry dressing over the gastrostomy tube, and any dressing that does not include treatments.
2. Care of patients with PICCs and CVCs.
3. Care of patients with chest tubes.
4. Ventilator patients.
5. Tracheotomy patients.
6. Assists with leading patient activity groups. Provides direct care for complex veterans.

• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit, clinic, and area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services
• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit, clinic, and area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services
• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing unit, clinic, or area of assignment as determined by the patient/resident need for nursing care and services.
• Provides reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports, deviations, timely and accurately

Work Schedule: 7:30 pm- 8:00 am Monday-Sunday
Telework: Not Suitable
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 02794F, 02806F,02810F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 physical examination.
• 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

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience, Education, or Training. You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA):
  1. Six (6) months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,
  2. One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
  3. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as an NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

Grade Requirements:

GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements. NAs at this grade NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level, you must meet the following:

• EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two (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, in addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 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 patients/residents, their families, and other health professionals.

GS-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level, you must meet the following:

• EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level, which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. 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, in addition, you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

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-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: 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 NA 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 NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA must be mature, flexible, and sensible. An 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.