The Nurse Assistant (NA) assigned to the VHAPORHCS Specialty Care Clinics - under the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine - provides outpatient clinical services for the subspecialties. The NA performs patient centered care to Veterans throughout the lifespan - and provides medical assistive care and administration support when needed. The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient's need for nursing care.
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 Policy
Experience or 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 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 Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education
None beyond the basic requirements
GS-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 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: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
iii 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
iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals GS-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 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
i 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
ii 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
iii 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
Preferred Experience: a
2 years experience with direct patient care
b
1 year experience in outpatient clinical setting c
6 months wound care experienced
6 months dermatology experience 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-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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute.
Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES: The Nurse Assistant (NA) assigned to the VHAPORHCS Specialty Care Clinics - under the Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine - provides outpatient clinical services for the subspecialties such as Medicine - Surgery - and Neurology
Services are routinely provided Monday through Friday between the hours of 0730-1800
The NA functions as a team member as assigned by the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) under the guidance of a Registered Nurse or licensed independent practitioner
The NA works at the direction of a licensed nurse - with supervision or monitoring by a licensed nurse
The NA performs patient centered care to Veterans throughout the lifespan - and provides medical assistive care and administration support when needed
The incumbent must demonstrate the ability to observe - identify - and respond to the patient's need for nursing care - recognizing deviations from baseline and reporting to licensed personnel
Nursing procedures include but are not limited to specimen collection - maintaining the care environment - virtual care - dressing removal - home meter downloading - urological procedures - Echocardiogram (EKG) - capillary blood glucose test - equipment assisted care - dermatological procedures - vital signs - orthostatic blood pressure measurement - timed walk test - documentation - assisting with invasive and non-invasive Work Schedule: 8am-430pm Monday- Friday as needed per the service Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
