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Nursing Assistant- Acute Care

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA SIERRA NEVADA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Nursing Assistant serves as a member of both the nursing and interdisciplinary team and provides input to team members relative to the patient's condition and discharge plan. Provides nursing care to chronically and/or acutely ill patients under the minimal direction of the Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and/or the physician. Provides support to outpatient areas, hospital wide COVID efforts and influenza clinics.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
03/20/2023 to 08/11/2023
Salary
$36,013 to - $58,803 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Reno, NV
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
5
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSW-11888879-23-CG
Control number
713941100

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Duties

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Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but not be limited to:

  • Collecting Specimens: sputum, urine (routine & sterile), feces, and others as directed by team lead for storage and delivery to lab according to unit standard.
  • Notify nurse of change in patient's condition and/or hazardous environments; including VS, physical or behavioral S&S, psychosocial, supply and/or equipment issues.
  • Under the guidance of the nurse or provider, prepares and positions the patient and arranges and passes medical supplies and materials to the providers or nurses for a variety of diagnostic tests.
  • Activities of Daily Living: bathing, feeding, oral care, hair care and other personal hygiene duties and range of motion activities.
  • Applies ointments, creams, shampoos, solutions, etc. per facility policy.
  • Sets up meals, documents consumption, and reports changes in appetite. Able to count calories
  • Supports hospital wide COVID efforts, to include door monitoring, working in multiple clinic locations, working in COVID tent, inpatient, outpatient and administrative areas
  • Collects health history, complete clinical reminders, informs RN and PCP of information as needed, works collaboratively and effectively within PC and PACT team x Supports and assists all Pact extenders to include but not limited to SW, Pharm, IBHC, Nutrition x Supports all aspects of primary care to include women's health and occupational health
  • Supports hospital wide influenza efforts, collects health screenings as needed, provides support to all aspects of outpatient needs both in and out of the hospital.
  • Collecting COVID/Influenza/Strep swabs per protocol, properly labeling/bagging specimens and delivering to lab
  • Guides and motivates patient toward achievement of goal.
  • Reinforces patient education already performed by nurse.
  • Performs non-invasive procedures under the direction of a provider/nurse and records and reports results.
  • Reports behaviors and threats of patient harm to self and others; taking action to keep patient safe.
  • Prevents patient from harm of self and others.
  • Transports, observes and takes action to keep patient safe while on and off the unit.
  • Safely transports patients via wheelchair, gurney or bed; taking actions to keep them safe while off the unit.
  • Maintains cleanliness of patient care area.
Work Schedule: Varies - Service determines Tour of Duty to meet the needs of the unit/patients.
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 40376A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May by granted to highly Qualified Candidates
Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • 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).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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. 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.
Preferred Criteria:
  • Completion of education or training as a nursing assistant.
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN)
  • Restorative Nursing Assistant Certification
Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience: One year of specialized experience 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;
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Full Performance 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below;
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 Demonstrated 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 Nurse Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621, dated March 12, 2015, http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5.



Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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.

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