Summary The Oklahoma City VAMC, Primary Care Service is recruiting for one Nursing Assistant. This position will be assigned to the the Oklahoma City, OK VAMC. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf The Nurse Aide Provides direct care for complex, acute, primary care and long-term patients/residents per established Oklahoma City Veterans' Health Care System (OKC VAHCS) policies. The Nurse Aide will attend needed and vital requirements of the patient/resident and ensure all regulatory and hospital guidelines and practices are followed, providing for a positive care experience within the OKC VAHCS. It is expected that the Nursing Assistant will know their personal, legal, and ethical responsibilities and will work within the limits of their training/competency and functional statement. 1. Nursing Assistant Duties: a. Safely and accurately perform personal care skills, including measuring and recording vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and measuring of height and weight. Measures and records intake and output, feeding techniques, non-sterile specimen collection, transfer, positioning, and turning techniques. b. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information. c. Nurse Aide will work within their scope of practice, competency level and the defined skills list for Nurse Aides for the Oklahoma City VAHCS. d. Maintain appropriate communication with patients, families, and other health care workers. e. Uses medical asepsis and universal precautions, and document care given is inherent to the role. f. Collects Veteran data, participates in care planning, performs approved skills per orders or by protocol in accordance with the care planning. g. Assist with patient education and documentation of education provided. h. Promotes independence of Veteran by means of respect, limit setting, and individualize treatment. i. Initiates basic life support and promptly recognizes/respond to emergent situations. j. Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge. Completes orientation, unit-based in-services, and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by established timeframes. Identifies own deficits in skills and knowledge and acts to correct performance. 2. Observation, Reporting, Documentation a. Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. b. Functions as a therapeutic attendant for Veterans who require close observation or 1:1 observation. The attendant provider cares (including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding, elimination, and intake and output, etc.) for Veteran and prevents Veteran from hurting him/herself or interfering with the treatment by pulling out lines/IVs. Maintains direct supervision of the veteran. Performs duties per policy to ensure documentation and safety are attained. c. Remotely monitors patients using provided equipment and technology. d. Uses the Electronic Medical Record, and other approved software as needed to perform duties in assigned area. e. Maintains confidentiality of patients/residents in all areas. 3. Resource Utilization: a. Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner. Follows appropriate standard operating procedures related to the equipment, devices, and work practices that impact or have the potential to impact the environment. Will comply with relevant environmental regulations, Executive Orders, and Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) initiatives. Properly handles, reprocesses, and maintains reusable medical equipment according to unit policy, SOP's and VHA Directives. 4. Safety: a. Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices. Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self, or others. b. Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and earing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Demonstrates sage work practices. Complies with safety rules and regulations of safe job performance and fire protection. 5. Customer Service: a. Communicates information in a calm, non-judgmental, non-threatening manner. Adheres to established polices on patient/resident abuse, ethical conduct, and patient/resident rights. b. Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. Practice good personal and professional integrity in the workplace. Uses the proper chain of command for communication. Work Schedule: Varies based on unit needs, compressed tour with weekends. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55021-A, 55022-A, 55023-A Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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. Grade Determinations: Nursing Assistant, GS-3 Experience and Education . None beyond the basic requirements. Nursing Assistant, GS-4 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: 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. Nursing Assistant, GS-5 (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 KS As 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 KSA's. 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 [NAs] 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. References: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience - Mental Health Experience The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Education 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: http://ope.ed.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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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 covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.