Clarification from the agency

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: 1. CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE AGENCY FOR WHICH THE POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED 2.  ALL OTHER CANDIDATES.

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The Nursing Assistant provides specialized personal nursing care to residents whose care may be impacted by psychiatric, medical, and geriatric conditions. Performs multi-step treatments and procedures requiring skills and extensive knowledge specific to resident conditions, medical treatment, and an understanding of the effects of the treatment. The work consists of providing a range of resident care and contributes to the completion of the treatment plan and recovery of residents. This can include: personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatments, charting and resident teaching. The employee is required to recognize differences in a variety of situations and take appropriate action to meet the resident's needs. Work involves assigned duties that require prioritization of tasks, selection of appropriate equipment, selection of the appropriate procedure for assigned treatments, and recognition of differences in resident's medical condition to facilitate appropriate and accurate documentation.

Major duties of the position include:

• Personal patient care including bathing, feeding, grooming and mobilizing with demonstration of skills which reflect the needs of the older adult.
• Appropriate support duties i.e., individualized patient care, proper implementation of policies and procedures, use of good body mechanics, and assist in application and operation of specialized functional equipment.
• Support duties for proper environmental maintenance such as identification of potential safety hazards.
• Providing care to patients as directed and serving as an integral member of the treatment team by motivating patients and redirecting their behavior toward treatment plan goals.
• Participating in the admission of patients by collecting information, orienting patients to the unit, checking them for contraband when indicated, and assisting the Nurse in formulating appropriate nursing actions; accurately and efficiently vital signs, obtaining specimens, and supporting the Physician with any other diagnostic tests.
• Identifying and meeting the needs of patients for information and guidance in daily living.
• Promoting patient participation in therapeutic communities by fostering increased self-reliance and independence through education and involvement of their treatment plan.
• Reporting any changes in patient condition or behavior in a timely manner to the appropriate personnel on the ward.
• Being able to concisely describe and report any subtle behavior changes and interactions among patients and nursing staff. Performing patient care treatments such as foot soaks or changes of sterile dressings.
• Encouraging patients to maintain self-care and monitoring their physical and emotional progress using the designated charting techniques; maintaining a safe and secure environment oriented toward future independent living; adhering to all Medical Center policies and procedures as directed.

Work Schedule:

• Full Time
• (6) 12 hr. & (1) 8 hr. shift (variable times); 0545-1815 / 1745-0615 with rotation, weekends, & holidays; 0615 with rotation, weekends, & holidays.

Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant (NA) - Occ. Health/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement02/22/2022.


BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Education or Training: Must possess one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, OR completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-3 Level:
None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Level:
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
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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED);
AND
In addition, the candidate 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 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.

GS-5 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;
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, the candidate 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 need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: Walking, bending, stooping, and lifting in the direct care of patients; some extended periods of sitting and/or standing

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, résumé, 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.

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.