The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is currently recruiting for Full-Time, Permanent, Nursing Assistants. This position is located in the Rehabilitation & Extended Care Service Line. Since 1924, the St. Cloud VAHCS has delivered excellence in health care and compassionate service to central Minnesota Veterans in an inviting and welcoming environment close to home. We serve over 38,000 Veterans per year at the medical center in St. Cloud, and at three CBOCs. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/29/2023 BASIC REQUIREMENTS: (a) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (b) 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. (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Dementia or Memory Loss experience preferred. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 Grade Determinations: (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 Grade Determinations: (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 (transcripts required); AND (c) 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. (d) Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist 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/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. 2. In this role, 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. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 Grade Determinations: (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 (transcripts required); AND (c) Demonstrated 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 [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. (d) Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs 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. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), strait pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands/legs/eyes (limb prosthesis allowed if functionally equivalent), walking and standing, crawling and kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, hearing (aid permitted), ability to perform PMDB and BLS, patient lifting (mechanical assistance available), emotional and mental stability, ability to read medication labels and equipment manuals, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. ["A recruitment incentive of up to $6,000(pre-taxed) has been authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. Please contact the HR specialist for specific requirements. Recruitment incentives may be authorized to part-time or full-time individuals in their first appointment as a Federal employee or to a newly appointed former Federal employee with at least a 90-day break in service (possible exceptions). Relocation incentives may be authorized to federal employees who must change worksites and physically relocate to a different geographic area within VISN 23. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 6, 2023 and may be extended until all vacancies are filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 10th. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. The Nursing Assistant - Behavior Intervention Assistant within the CLC functions as a nursing team member under the direction and guidance of the Registered Nurse (RN). He/she is responsible for delivering safe physical and emotional care to veterans, in a variety of settings, while enhancing technical skills and nursing knowledge. Duties include: Assists with the implementation and evaluation of the behavioral management programs for the Memory Care units of the St. Cloud CLC. Observes residents' interactions and responses to interventions, documents these interactions and responses and provides feedback and suggestions about new or changed interventions. Provides feedback to psychology and nursing staff about the implementation of the behavioral management plans. Initiates and develops relationships with patients, manages a variety of patient behaviors and attitudes in order to foster independence and return to the community or lesser level of supervised care. Initiates and conducts small group activities to meet psychosocial needs of the patients. Leads small groups of residents and conducts individual sessions with residents with a focus on pleasant events designed to enhance resident-centered care and decrease challenging dementia related behavior. Interactions with residents in groups or individually involves adjusting the focus depending on the response of the resident. Recognizes and anticipates behavioral changes, including those indicative of potential aggressive or assaultive acts. Intervenes in potentially escalating behaviors and promptly intervenes in the event of disturbed patient behavior, to produce a safe resolution for staff and patients. Maintains an interactive relationship with the patients and participates with the professional nurse in planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care. Work Schedule: 0930-1800 Tours, every other weekend and alternating holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]

Return to Search Results