The Nursing Assistant gives direct patient care to adults of all ages requiring technical skills and knowledge for which he/she has been specifically prepared in, and caring for patients: acutely ill, those requiring cardiac care, reporting observations to a professional nurse and recording in the patient's medical record. Evaluates care for all veterans: the acute and chronically ill, and normal aging. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Basic Requirements - Education or Training: 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 (Transcript/documentation of course/study is REQUIRED) English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants 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).Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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: (1) 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.(2) 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-03 Entry Level - Experience and Education. None Beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Intermediate or developmental level - 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 two 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.(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) GS-05 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; GS 04 equivalent experiences include the following: 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. 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.(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): GS-03 None beyond the basic requirements GS-04 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.(Transcript/documentation of course/study is REQUIRED) GS-05 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 Nursing Assistants 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.(Transcript/documentation of course/study is REQUIRED) Preferred Experience: Direct patient care experience (within last 2-3 years) Current critical care nursing assistant experience (within last 2 years is preferred) Current CPR (American Heart Association) Patient care experience in hospital setting (within last 2-3 years) Comfortable using electronic health record. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard GS-0621, dated March 12, 2015. 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: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Light lifting (under 15 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds); Pulling hand over hand (8-12 hours); Pushing (8-12hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (8-12 hours); Standing (8-12 hours); Kneeling; Repeated bending (8-12 hours); Climbing, legs only (8-12 hours); Climbing (use of legs and arms); Both legs required; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). Distant vision (Snellen): without corrective lenses: right 20 left 20 ; with corrective lenses, if worn; right 20 left 20 ["The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-03 is the entry-level nursing position. The incumbent will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. Individuals assigned as GS-03 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are monitored and closely supervised. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals..\nDuties include but are not limited to: Utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran. Maintain positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Begin to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. Engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-04 is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The NA at this grade level performs basic nursing care and is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, licensed staff or other healthcare professionals.\nAll duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned tasks but are not limited to: Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintain therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment and taking measures to prevent injury. Perform and document prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-05 is considered to be the full performance level for NAs. The NA at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, sub­ acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The significant factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involved more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.\nAll duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task and not limited to: Provide direct care for complex Veterans. Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. Document care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Perform oral and nasopharyngeal suctioning. Administer complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitor and documents patient intake and output. Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Recognize the resident's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Utilize equipment to promote the Veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, hydro sound tubs, and Veteran/resident wandering system. Work Schedule: Rotating Shift; Eight-hour Tours - Mid-Shift (11:30am- 8PM) /Evenings (3:30P-12M)/Night (2330-0800) with Alternate weekends. May be required to work other shifts, be on call, work weekends and/or holidays as patient care and needs of the service require. Should operational needs dictate, candidates must be willing to work within other units (including community based outpatient clinics, for example) to assist and support continuation of the provision of care/services.\nTelework: not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]