Clarification from the agency

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

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Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting in the care of patients by supporting patient activities
• Report changes in patient's condition to the registered nurse, as well as the patient's acceptance and response to nursing care.
• Operating equipment (Vital sign machines, EKGs, Bladder Scans, etc.).
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patient and families.- Perform procedures such as venipuncture, finger sticks, and wound dressings.- Monitor and chart patient status in compliance with applicable laws and local policies, and properly report any abnormal findings to designated Nurse or Medical staff.
• Submits work orders for broken equipment, and properly stores and cleans equipment
• Contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by cleaning equipment, furniture, appliances, and patient care areas
• Communicates with patient and family members about care, and ensure all communications comply with HIPAA and applicable laws and regulations.- Collecting and transporting patient specimens for the laboratory.
• Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings.
• Understands and uses proper medical terminology.- Transporting patients to other areas of the hospital and returns to proper unit bed.
• Leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all patients are treated with respect and civility
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8 & 12 hour days with weekend and holiday requirement
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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 identification 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

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:

• Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.
• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the NA 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.
• 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.

Experience Requirement: GS-03 Nursing Assistant: For GS-03 Entry Level consideration: None beyond the basic requirements.
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).

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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below;

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)
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.*Individuals assigned as GS-4 NA's are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised--they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NA's or other healthcare 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 (KSA's)
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. 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.

References: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standards, VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, dated March 12, 2015. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Preferred Experience: Recent Long Term Care Experience; current BLS Certification.

Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019, Part II, Paragraph 3, II-1, 1(a), A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical, cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required, and shall be completed prior to appointment, for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73, for Title 38 positions.

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.