Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Summary The Nursing Assistant (NA) at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. 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 • You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): 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 - 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. English Language Proficiency • In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English • 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 • GS-5 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 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): 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 • 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 • 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 • Preferred Experience: One year of inpatient experience preferred • 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 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 a mature - flexible - sensible 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.

Duties • Major duties include - but not limited to: Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices • Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan • Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment • Demonstrates motivation and creativity in addressing problems which impede patient care • Provides direct physical and emotional care to the chronically ill and/or dying patient by attending the patient's grooming needs - feeding - elimination and psychosocial needs - thus improving the veteran's quality of life • Acts as a patient advocate in ensuring patients receive all necessary care in an efficient manner • Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings • Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as • lift equipment - Hydro sound Tubs - and Veteran/Resident Wandering System • Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formats • Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident • Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties • Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison • Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's • Shares increase knowledge and skill in observation - communication - intervention and documentation abilities with other staff members • Is a mentor to new employees • Orients members of the health care team to the unit as appropriate • Functions as a member of the unit base counsel • Manages distributed patient behavior/care and appropriately intervenes requesting assistance from other health care members as appropriate • Recognizes medical and psychiatric emergencies and institutes proper measure by summoning professional assistance • Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes appropriate action • Performs more complex medial nursing care treatment under the direction and supervision of the RN • Treatments may include: Pressure ulcer prevention - observation and treatment Stage I through Stage IV • Assist licensed staff with bladder scanning and continence training • Follows universal precautions as appropriate - demonstrates competence according to isolation - infection control and Tuberculosis (TB) policy/procedure • Work Schedule: Intermittent: 7:30am-8:00pm or 7:30pm-8:00am - including every other weekend and holidays as needed • Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized • Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized • Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases • When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade) • Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience • Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child • Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 • Telework: Not Available • Virtual: This is not a virtual position • Functional Statement #: 688-25131-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.