Nursing Assistant (Intermittent)

Summary This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 5 - Health Services Area (HSA) 5.2 and serves VA Northern California Health Care System (VANCHCS). VANCHCS is the 8th largest VA Health Care System in the country serving VISN 5. The VANCHCS is a Level 1a complexity healthcare system and ranks among a complex system in the Veterans Affairs serving VISN 5 - HSA 5.2. ***This is an intermittent position*** Qualifications Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United StatesEducation 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 ProficiencyNursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level)There is no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirementsGS-4 Experience/Education: 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 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 professionalsGS-5 Experience/Education: 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 subparagraph (c) 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition - 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 NurseAbility to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelThis includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants 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 - etcReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Duties The Nursing Assistant (NA) serves as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice careThey will perform activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan - recovery - and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care providerOther duties include - but are not limited to: Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelAbility 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 - etcAbility 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 or residents' 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 - vital signs machine - specimen collection - etcThe NA utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staffWill appropriately utilize vital signs (VS) machine and document vital signs in the medical record - alerting nursing staff if VS are abnormalMake observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.ebehavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etcand takes action accordingly within the Nursing Assistant's assigned roleDocuments care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or formsMonitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accuratelyPerforms 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 devicesVerbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care - participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planningEnters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formatsParticipates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/residentRemoves defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of dutiesAppropriately initiates basic life support - takes appropriate actionPreferred Experience: Certified Nursing Assistant experience for at least 1 year Inpatient experience Work Schedule: IntermittentVarious tours availablerotating weekends and holidays (to be discussed during the interview process) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.