Community Living Center Nursing Assistant

About the role

The Nursing Assistant (NA) will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting.

Responsibilities

• Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Learns to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Affords assistance with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Learns to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
• Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of the use of the continuous virtual care platform with audio and visual capability
• Uses proper safety practices

Requirements

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
• [Experience or] Education or Training(1) [Six months of general experienceExperience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NAOR -] (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupationOR - (3) 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.

Qualifications

Grade Determinations: GS3 - GS-4 - GS-5

• GS3 - (Entry Level)(a) Experience and EducationNone beyond the basic requirements.
• (b) AssignmentsIndividuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4(a) ExperienceOne 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 treatmentsOR - (b) EducationSuccessful 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 techniciansAND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residentsii Ability to observe patients/resident's or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manneriii 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 - etciv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• (d) AssignmentIndividuals 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 illnessThe significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other health care professionals
• ii In this role - the NA 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 illnessThe NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals
• GS-5(a) ExperienceOne 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 - (b) EducationSuccessful 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)
• (c) Demonstrated KSAsi 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 Nurseii Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelThis 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 settingiii Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistanceFor example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• (d) AssignmentThis 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

Skills

Long term care facility experience as a nursing assistant

Benefits

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Physical Requirements: Physical RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Pay

Varying based on experience and qualifications

Schedule

Varies depending on service needs