Career Center

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) will provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. THIS POSITION IS LOCATED AT THE PERRY POINT - MARYLAND CAMPUS.

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. Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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(a) 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 -(b) 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(c) 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 (Full Performance Level).(a) 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 -(b) 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(c) 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
• 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: Physical requirements are in accordance with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant (NA) will perform the following: Appropriately utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned patient veteran - maintains a positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills - begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations - performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for personal hygiene - physical comfort - activity - exercise - rest - nutrition - elimination - prevention of skin breakdown - rehabilitative aspects of care - engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups - utilizing principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team - sets up patient care related equipment - organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment - assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies - work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team - safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature - uses proper safety practices - utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures - utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts - 7 Days a Week: 7:30am-4:00pm - 3:30pm-12:00am - 11:30pm- 8:00am - 7:30am-8:00pm - 7:30pm-8:00am 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
• Functional Statement #: 25459 - 25460 - 25461 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest
• The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing
• As a VA employee - you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.