The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs nursing procedures and duties on an assigned patient area and has special responsibilities with his/her assigned patients, using a team nursing approach in providing holistic care. He/she functions independently under the purview of the Nurse Manager/Assistant Unit Manager or designee. He/she will assist supervisory staff by providing assistance and guidance to lower level Nursing Assistants during the tour of duty. 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 Nursing Assistant 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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). Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date, March 12, 2015, of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Grade Determinations:GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, 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. Assignment Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for [NAs]. [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. 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. [NAs] at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA Handbook 5005/71, Appendix G46. certified Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0621. 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 work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning patients or similar activities. The incumbent will be required to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 35 pounds frequently. The incumbent must be able to transport and transfer patients (e.g. stretcher to wheelchair, bed to stretcher, wheelchair to bed, etc.) safely. The incumbent will be required to handle equipment and must be knowledgeable of an able to use safe lifting techniques. The use of correct body mechanics required. The incumbent should also have the ability to identify the potential for safety hazards. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing (aid permitted), speaking clearly, writing legibly, keyboarding, reading, and logical thinking. Also, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16". The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes fast pace, requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials (1-2 hours at a time). ["Major duties include, but are not limited to: Observes, reports, and documents changes in patients' conditions. Charting on each patient's medical record is done regularly according to set nursing standards and unit policies. Assists with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the delivery of specialized nursing care and emergency care of patients as needed. Uses therapeutic communication to intervene with psychiatric, geriatric, and/or medical patients. Shows concern for the safety, whereabouts and welfare of all patients on the assigned unit. Follow-through on the assigned patients' treatment plans is necessary for continuity of care. Ability to evaluate a situation from a variety of perspectives, considers several alternatives, and chooses the appropriate course of action. Dependable, flexible, adaptable, and communicates, both in writing and orally (using English Language) effectively with patient, families, staff, and with all services and disciplines. Stand and maintain balance for the assigned work shift. Lift, move, or transfer patient. Lift or move objects. Push, pull or carry equipment, supplies, wheelchairs, , treatment carts or other device. Ability to hear and respond to call lights, emergency alert systems, telephones, pagers, and patient/staff verbalizations. IV drips, medical equipment calibration numbers, 6 point font print and objects of similar size. Prepare patient appropriately in assigned clinical setting. Accurately detect changes in body temperature, changes in skin integrity and physical changes in the patient's body such as lumps, bumps, etc. Identify essential smells relevant to patient care to include bodily fluids, microscopic infestations, and environmental emergencies. Enter appropriate data and other documentation into the computer system without delay. Acts as a patient advocate in ensuring patients receive all necessary care in an efficient manner. Attends patient care conferences and interdisciplinary treatment team meetings for patient evaluation purposes and follow-up conducted by the professional staff. Reports pertinent information with nursing staff from the prior and on-coming tours of duty using knowledge of patient's condition and treatment plan to maintain the continuum of care. Demonstrates motivation and creativity in addressing problems, which impede patient care. When appropriate, gives direct physical and emotional care to the chronically ill and/or dying patient by attending to the patient's grooming needs, feeding, elimination, and psychosocial needs, thus improving the quality of life. Evaluates the patient environment to ensure it is safe, clean and comfortable at all times. Takes immediate appropriate action on routine problems identified. Identifies patients with difficulty in performing ADL and plans individualized programs in cooperation with the Registered Nurse (RN) to aid in maximizing independence. Works with other NA's setting the pace to assure that the work is accomplished in an efficient and effective manner. Sets up special medical equipment as instructed. Maintains equipment and furniture list for the assigned unit and assists will periodic inventory of nursing equipment and supplies to assure that such items needed for patient care are available, in good working order, and are safely secured when not in use. Assists the RN and physician in a variety of diagnostic examinations. Follows universal precautions as appropriate, demonstrates competence according to isolation, infection control, and Tuberculosis (TB) policy/procedure. Attends educational classes demonstrating the ability to learn new and more complex procedures to assume responsibility for patients requiring more specialized care. Attends training classes to maintain current knowledge and skill required for operating new equipment and shares this knowledge with all staff through return demonstrations. Assures laboratory specimens are correctly labeled and forwarded in a timely manner. All other duties as assigned, pertaining to this occupation, to meet the needs of the Agency, Department, Facility, and/or Service. Preferred Qualifications: Long Term Care: One year of Long Term Care experience. Medical/Surgical/Emergency/Specialty Care: One year experience within the specialty preferred. Work Schedule: Various Work Schedules, and tour of duties available. 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"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
