Summary

This open continuous announcement will be used to fill Nursing Assistant vacancies in all areas of the VA Long Beach HealthCare System. *** Resumes will be pulled as needed*** This announcement will also be used to fill full-time - part-time and intermittent positions. Please indicate the areas in which you are interested when you apply. Note: Selection location is not guaranteed but will be highly considered. If multiple locations are in a selection - then it will be determined by the service.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• Education or Training
• The candidate must have one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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)
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12 - 2015 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 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above
• GS-4 Experience/Education: In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 illness
• The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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: 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: 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
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• be able to navigate the facility - write and use a key board and telephone
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Employee will be required to assist with transferring/lifting/moving patients - pushing/pulling wheelchairs - gurneys/beds or equipment which may require - stooping - bending - kneeling - twisting - sitting lifting or carrying live weight up to 35 lbs
• and walking without restrictions
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility - use a keyboard - perform CPR (Bart trained) when necessary - and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions
• Reasonable accommodations may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Duties

• Nursing Assistant duties include but are not limited to: Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Obtains vital signs and reports any abnormal vital signs to appropriate staff in a timely manner
• Makes observations of subtle changes in patient's condition - i.e. - behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such Foley Care - Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) prevention - and AvaSure tele sitter
• Recognizes the patient's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment
• Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as lift equipment
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident
• Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties
• Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formats
• Work Schedule: To be discussed during interview
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized