Nursing Assistant – Community Living Center

Summary This is an internal open and continuous job announcement.

Current permanent VA employees and current permanent employees from another Federal Agency MUST apply under this announcement.

An external announcement is also posted
– CBSR-11078294-21-NB.

Veterans Preference is not used on internal announcements.

The presence of a location on this announcement does not necessarily indicate a current vacancy.

Applications will be reviewed and referred upon request from the service.

Responsibilities This is an open and continuous announcement which will be used to fill Nursing Assistant positions in the following units
– Veterans Homeland
– Long Stay/Palliative Care/Hospice Sherman Terrace
– Long Stay/Short Stay Rehab Hopewell House
– Long Stay Dementia Freed Harbor
– Long Stay Mental Health The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing team, participates in the care of patients in acute, sub-acute or chronic stage of illness with changing nursing needs that are predictable and require periodic assessment by the registered nurse.

The incumbent carries out all functions and duties on a regular and recurring basis.

The incumbent performs aspects of nursing care that requires: 1) a basic understanding to the total patient program; 2) understanding of simple scientific facts and principles; 3) a broad spectrum of technical skills; 4) adaptation of procedures to meet individual patient needs, and 5) recognition of the relatedness of patients’ behavior and physical condition.

Position is located in Community Living Center
– Long Term Psych unit.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Will be responsible for maintaining knowledge of reusable medical equipment (RME) and cleaning process to follow between patient uses.

Is responsible for returning items to SPS for proper cleaning.

Has good knowledge of non-critical RME.

Must understand how to use items and the proper cleaning procedures that follow the use of the item/items.

Setting up patient care related equipment such as oxygen, suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning equipment.

Reporting patient status to the registered nurse and documenting pertinent information in the medical record including current status and/or subtle changes in patient’s biopsychosocial and spiritual status.

Participating in patient centered conference/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the patient care plan.

Maintaining a clean, safe and therapeutic environment and reporting potential/actual hazards to the registered nurse.

Identifying the need for and obtaining non-routine supplies and equipment.

Providing physical/psychological support and instructions relative to diagnostic procedures.

Performing aspects of nursing care in a variety of situations to meet patient’s non-routine needs.

Perform hand hygiene upon entering and exiting a patient’s room and will maintain knowledge of different modes of isolation to prevent the spread of infection.

Work schedule: Rotating shifts
– Variable days, Monday through Sunday.

Weekends and holidays required Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement Title: Nursing Assistant
– Community Living Center Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Basic Requirements: Citizenship.

Citizen of the United States Citizenship: (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant (NA) occupation.

Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year (1) as a nursing assistant 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met.

GS-03 Experience and Education: None beyond the Basic Requirements.

GS-04 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 You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

(KSA’s): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-4 1.

Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.

2.

Ability to observe patients/residents’ or resident’s physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.

3.

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.

4.

Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-05: 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.

Specialized experience includes: The Nursing Assistant 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 illness.

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 You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

(KSA’s): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-5.

1.

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.

2.

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.

3.

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: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant, Job Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely.

Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients.

Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity.

Must be clean and neat in appearance.

Must be emotionally stable and cooperative.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

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.

Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

PLEASE NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here: d.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: d.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional Information Note: Must have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification prior to assuming clinical duties.

The BLS requirement is satisfied by successfully completing an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS Healthcare Provider Course or Military Training Network (MTN).

BLS courses are normally offered within 1-5 days of entry on duty.

No online certifications will be accepted.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covere