Summary

The NA functions as a member of the nursing care team - licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the care of those patients/residents on unit/care area. The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher grade NAs or other healthcare professionals. The NA is assigned to a patient care area. Care is provided to patients across the age spectrum. **Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be offered**

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. Preferred Experience: Previous NA Experience

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• English Language Proficiency
• Nursing 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)
• Education or Training
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA;OR -](2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR -(3) Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full the experience requirements forGS-3. Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of May 22 -2024 - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 (entry level): (a)Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b)Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-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 treatments
• OR Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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
• GS-5 Experience Full Performance Level): This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• Nursing Assistants 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
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• 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 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 Nurse
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This 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 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.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 NA must be able to lift (30 lbs or more)
• twisting and /or bending - standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day to provide patient care.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: The NA is responsible for the storage - proper cleaning techniques - and use of reusable medical equipment (RME)
• He/she must be able to locate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all RME in the clinical area
• She/he is responsible for carrying out proper procedures for caring for patients in an isolation environment by following proper infection control procedures
• The NA is responsible for the following duties: To accurately identify and report physical signs - symptoms - and changes to RN/supervisor in charge
• Takes patient's vital signs - recognizes obvious discrepancies and report discrepancies to RN/supervisor in charge
• Completes blood glucose monitoring as assigned
• Completes activities that contribute to meeting all applicable performance measures
• Utilizes technical skills appropriately adjusting techniques for patients
• Initiates emergency procedures for which the employee is trained and reports actual and potential safety hazards within the workplace
• Follows all safety procedures and wear protective clothing as appropriate
• Identifies the need for and actively contributes information and suggestions to patient centered conferences
• Fosters an environment of respect for individual patient and family rights to privacy and dignity in all aspects of care delivery
• Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills - sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice
• Uses Computerized Patient Record System per medical center policy
• attends classes as needed to maintain currency in computerized record documentation
• Attends in-services on all new equipment and/or equipment that has changed or demonstrated a hazard
• Serves as a member of the health care team
• Adheres to established lines of authority and communication
• Cooperate with team members
• Attends and contributes to unit staff meetings
• Participates in interdisciplinary patient care conferences - and provides information and feedback
• Contributes to supportive environment when floating to other areas
• Accepts challenges and responds productively to change
• Demonstrates willingness to support others in their work
• Uses creative approaches in completion of work assignments Participates in performance improvement activities
• Responds to patient safety needs and environmental cleanliness
• Maintains a consistent work schedule
• Enters leave requests into the VATAS program as per the Phoenix VA Leave Policy
• Age Development and Cultural Needs of Patients: Care is provided to groups of Veterans - including: World War II Veterans - Korean War Veterans - Vietnam Veterans - Gulf War Veterans - and Iraq War Veterans
• The specific patient population to whom direct care is provided includes adults across the age spectrum with different conditions
• The Nursing Assistant demonstrates the ability to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needed as described in the medical center's policies - procedures and standards of care
• Work Schedule: 0630 - 1900 - or depending on hospital needs - or clinic operational needs Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be offered