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Assist licensed nursing staff in the care of Veterans as a member of the nursing care team by providing holistic care in a manner conducive to comfort and safety. The role is to protect, sustain, and nurture the patient and help as needed with activities of daily living. The assignments typically involve complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. This position is required to float to other areas of the hospital on an as needed basis. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 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 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4: 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. AND In addition to the above experience/education, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. 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; 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 to the above experience/education, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, March 12, 2015. 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: This works requires heavy lifting (45lbs and over), moderate lifting (15-44lbs), light lifting (under 15lbs), heavy carrying, moderate carrying, light carrying, straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, ability to assist with telemetry, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors are working around moving objects or vehicles, unusual fatigue factors (emotional, clinical alarm), working with hands in water, working closely with others, working alone, and protracted or irregular hours of work. ["Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-5 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Assist in the full range of nursing care for patients with physical and/or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Provide daily living activities such as assisting patients with daily oral care (dentures, toothbrush), hair grooming, bathing, nail, and related hygiene care. Set up, serve, and feed patients, lift, turn, and transfer patients with appropriate technique and lifting assistance devices. Prepare and transport patients as needed for tests or discharge. Notify nursing of any physical or behavior changes. Document these changes using proper documentation forums. Use computer, computer programs, phone, Xerox, and fax machines. Conduct other duties as required to provide patient with quality care outcomes. Develop the knowledge to perform and assist with a complete range of treatment and procedures that include but is not limited to the following: administering hot and cold packs; accucheks; inserting Foley catheters; caring for patients in isolation; BVI; colostomy care; application of EKG leads and providing 1:1 monitoring of patients with altered mental status, suicidal/homicidal ideation, or identified as high risk and in need of constant supervision. Develop the knowledge to perform a range of diagnostic support duties which includes taking, recording, and reporting deviations in vital signs, taking EKGs and loading proper patient information into this device, taking specimens, labeling specimens for the laboratory, and assisting the provider in a variety of diagnostic exams. Consistently makes gross accurate observations of the patient's condition and reports and documents findings. Learn to identify and report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to medical treatment and nursing care. Verbally provide patient information to the licensed staff for inclusion in the nursing care plan. Enter information about the patient's condition in the patient's written and/or electronic records following (PCS) policies. Communicate effectively with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members and other staff personnel. Act in a professional manner as a role model for peers. Learn and develop to be a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with employee orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. Maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with patients and their families. Communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet unit objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to the supervisor. Utilize population, cultural, age-specific communication techniques to provide effective communication with patients and visitors. Learn to instruct patients on the patient's role in various tests, such as x-rays, covering information previously supplied by the doctor or nurse. Instructs patient/patient on the set up and purpose of treatment supported by auxiliary equipment such as oxygen and suction. Support patient teaching based on evidence-based, general information covered with the patient previously by either the doctor or nurse. Utilize teaching opportunities with awareness of medical treatment goals. Identify teaching needs and institute approaches to meet these. Learn to recognize and react to emergent patient/patient care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognize the need for basic life support, control bleeding and assist with behavior crisis, etc. Participates and completes mandatory education classes by designated due date. Display courteous verbal and non-verbal communication to patients/patients, staff, and visitors. Always utilize proper telephone etiquette. Is dependable; report on and off duty on-time. Report to charge nurse when leaving ward for any reason. Maintain a clean, neat appearance always and follow PCS policies (e.g., uniform policy). Work Schedule: 12 hour days, variable (weekend and holidays) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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