Nursing Assistant

Summary The Geriatrics & Extended Care Certified Nursing Assistant (NA) is a key member of the Community Living Center treatment team. The role of the NA is to perform a very wide range of resident personal care - diagnostic services - treatment and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis in a short stay rehabilitation or long-term care ward. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to promote a sense of worth and dignity for the individual. 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 PolicyEducation or Training: Six months of general experienceExperience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NAOR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupationOR - 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: NAs 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)GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience(1) Knowledge of Current PracticeTo be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice(2) Quality of ExperienceTo be creditable - NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference - or through other independent means(3) Part-Time ExperiencePart-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweekFor example - a NA employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 fulltime workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of serviceGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirementsAssignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervisedGS-4 NA 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 treatmentsOR - 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 techniciansAND 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/residentsAbility to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely mannerAbility 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 - etcAbility to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionalsAssignment: ???????Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervisedNAs 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 professionalsIn 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 professionalsGS-5 NA (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 assignmentIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in belowOR - 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 degreeAND 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 NurseAbility 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 settingAbility 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 - etcAssignment: This is the full performance level for NAsNAs 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 illnessThe distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirementsNAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship roleReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/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: ???????See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Major duties include but are not limited to: Assists with admissions - transfers - discharges - postmortem care and nursing care procedures specific to the wardAssists with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including bathing - showering - shaving - grooming - toileting - feeding - ambulating - weighing and positioning residents with prescribed physical limitationsTeaches and guides residents in the development of cleanliness and sound health practices in all aspects of daily livingFeeds and assists residents during mealsObserves aspiration precautionsAlert to special dietary needs and takes action according to the resident's diagnosis and behaviorSupports and reinforces diet instructions such as those given to diabetics and others on special diets and restrictionsObtains and records vital signs and intakes and outputs and empties foley bags as neededUses skills and knowledge of basic normal versus abnormal vital signs to alert the Registered Nurse and adapt resident care activitiesObserves Infection Control Policies and Procedures Assists with the transferring and transporting of residents to test/procedures via gurneys and wheelchairsUses knowledge of individual special interest and skills in guiding and motivating the residentAssists in performing selected rehabilitation techniques such as range of motion - speech retraining - with the ultimate goal of residents return to active community livingAdheres to Close Observation/Suicide Precaution Policy and Procedures when caring for residents who are deemed high riskPerforms diagnostic tests within their scope of practice and training - including fingerstick blood glucose and bedside EKGGives meaningful instructions and explanations to resident regarding purposes of special diagnostic tests and proceduresAdministers treatments such as foley care and bowel careUses the SBAR format when communicating vital information and/or changes of conditionWork Schedule: Tour of Duty will be determined based on the needs of the serviceTelework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 08790F - 08791F - 08792F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized