Clarification from the agency

This announcement is only opened to permanent, current Southern Arizona VA Health Care System employees. To be considered you MUST submit a current SF-50. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Duties are and not limited to: The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings; outpatient,
inpatient, community living care, residential, acute, or sub-acute. The NA will care for
patients/ residents with acute to chronic conditions.
All duties performed will be completed under RN supervision with appropriate
training and competencies for assigned task.

• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by
  displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant
  others utilizing communication skills.
• Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording.
• Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports, and contributing
  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.
• Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident
  needs for the following:
  a. Personal Hygiene
  b. Physical Comfort
  c. Activity, Exercise, Rest
  d. Nutrition
  e. Elimination
  f. Prevention of Skin Breakdown
  g. Rehabilitative Aspects of Care
• Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for
  patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing
  changes.
• Learning to be proficient with the utilizing rehabilitative principles to
  promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding
  patient/residents in bowel and bladder training.
• Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current
  events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision.
• Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide,
  continuous observation, q 15 minute checks and hourly rounding.
• Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others
  according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers
  issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional.
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients.
• Reports patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the
  medical record according to established procedures.
• Sets up patient care related equipment, such as hypothermia machines,
  oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction and assisting in
  monitoring proper functioning of equipment.
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on
  veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff
  or other health care provider.
• Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment.
• Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit
  routines and policies.
• Working as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting
  information of a confidential nature.
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use
  of patient care equipment to prevent injury;
• Begin to orient lower level nursing assistants

Preferred Experience:

• Skilled Nursing

Work Schedule: Full-Time, 0730-2000. Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 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:

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
• 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 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.

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:
GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
(a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 NA
(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:
i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
iii 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.
iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level).
(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 KSAs.
i 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.
ii 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.
iii 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.

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: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others; be able to navigate the facility, write and use a key board and telephone. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. Employee will be required to assist with transferring/lifting/moving patients, pushing/pulling wheelchairs, gurneys/beds or equipment which may require, stooping, bending, kneeling, twisting, sitting lifting or carrying live weight up to 35 lbs. and walking without restrictions. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. 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 incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility, use a keyboard, perform CPR (Bart trained) when necessary, and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions. Reasonable accommodations may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

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.