Summary The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. 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 Recruitment/Relocation incentive may be offered Responsibilities Duties Include but not limited to: All duties performed will be performed under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, or other healthcare professionals. 1. Accurately identifies and reports physical signs, symptoms, and changes noted in patients to RN/supervisor in charge. Also reports patients' complaints which are outside of the NA scope of practice to address. 2. Initiates emergency procedures for which the employee is trained and reports actual and potential safety hazards within the workplace. 3. Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. 4. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and acts/responds accordingly within the NA's assigned role and by contacting the appropriate nursing personal. 5. Obtains patient's vital signs, recognizes obvious discrepancies and report discrepancies to RN/supervisor in charge. 6. Applies knowledge and skill in facilitating the completion of activities of daily living for those patients to whom they are assigned. 7. Identifies the need for and actively participates and contributes information and suggestions to patient-centered conferences and/or Treatment Planning Meetings. 8. Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran. 9. Learning to be proficient with the utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training 10. Promotes positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others, and staff utilizing learned communication skills. 11. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. 12. Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following: a. Personal Hygiene b. Physical Comfort c. Activity, Exercise, Rest d. Nutrition e. Elimination f. Prevention of Skin Breakdown g. Rehabilitative Aspects of Care h. Mental Well-Being (Whole Health) 13. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision. 14. Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. 15. Maintains and set up patient care related equipment. 16. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. 17. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. 18. Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. 19. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. 20. Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, q 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding. 21. Demonstrates proper safety practices. Follow all safety procedures and wears protective clothing/equipment as appropriate (Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)). 22. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. 23. Promotes and demonstrates principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients and utilizes technical skills appropriately adjusting techniques for patients. 24. Facilitates in the transfer and transport of patients 25. Actively seeks out educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills, sharing new knowledge gained with other staff to improve and advance nursing practice. 26. Uses the Computerized Patient Record System; attends classes as needed to maintain currency in computerized record documentation. 27. Orient and mentor lower-level nursing assistants. 28. Attends in-services on all new equipment and/or equipment that has changed or demonstrated a hazard. 29. Serves as a member of the health care team. 30. Adheres to established lines of authority and communication. 31. Cooperates with team members. ON-GOING Education and Training Competency Validation: a. Basic Life Support (BLS) is required for NA's in direct patient care positions per policy. Incumbent will complete orientation, annual competency requirements, and on-going mandatory education. The NA will complete all mandatory trainings within appropriate timelines. b. The NA will actively participate in annual competency assessment and validation Work Schedule: 6:30 PM - 7:00 AM or 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM, or depending on hospital needs Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized. 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. 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 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. Preferred Experience: Previous NA Experience Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. 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). 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 meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of May 22,2024, 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 (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 Experience/Education: 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, healthcare 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 Full Performance Level): 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. . 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: The NA must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and /or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day to provide patient care. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.