The Nursing Assistant uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. The Nursing Assistant provides care to adult and geriatric Veteran with varying degrees of physical and mental disability. As an integral part of the nursing team the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans, visitors, coworkers, and other employees of the VA Medical Center.

Duties

The incumbent serves as a Nursing Assistant (NA) and is organizationally responsible to the assigned Assistant Nurse Manager. The Nursing Assistant uses knowledge and skills to complete assigned duties which involve performing activities at the assigned level with supervision by the Registered Nurse. The Nursing Assistant provides care to adult and geriatric Veteran with varying degrees of physical and mental disability. As an integral part of the nursing team the Nursing Assistant has an impact on Veterans, visitors, coworkers, and other employees of the VA Medical Center and is expected to exercise judgment and to engage RN when necessary. The Nursing Assistant is expected to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedure and techniques as appropriate to the role. Performs a variety of nursing care activities which include bathing, feeding, oral care and related personal hygiene duties. Assist with ambulation, lifting, getting Veteran ready for Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (PT/OT), positioning and self-help activities. Reapply nasal oxygen cannula if misplaced from Veteran's nares. May obtain full oxygen tank and replace empty oxygen tank for Veteran as needed. Recognize and properly use equipment, materials and supplies to carry out procedures and other assignments under the direction of the RN. Observes and reports current observations such as veteran's physical condition, emotional response, observes skin condition, variations in vital signs, urine, stool or sputum; personal habits of patient, and listens for clues to Veterans reaction to illness and treatment, and reports observation to RN. Performs diagnostic support duties, such as collection of specimens. Ability to establish positive interpersonal relationships, to contribute to the emotional support of the patient and to function as a team member. Knowledge and skill sufficient to participate effectively in emergency situations such as Code Blue, Code Man, Code Red, internal disasters, etc. Cleans and maintains ward work areas reporting safety hazards, such as smoking risks and equipment in need of repair. Provides 1 : 1 support for Veterans requiring close observation. Prior Acute Ward experience is preferred but not required. Work Schedule: Flexible; Nights; 1900-0700 hours, totaling 80 hours per pay period Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Relocation incentive up to $5,000 (pre-taxed) authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. A service agreement is required for all relocation incentives. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/11/2023 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: Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate is preferred but not required. Long-term care experience desired. 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: The population of male and female Veterans served range from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult; age 65 and over. St. Cloud VAHCS is an interdisciplinary facility, offering medical, surgical, and mental health inpatient services. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care, and long-term care in the areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, geriatrics, and transitional care. 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 Veterans and objects may be required. The Nursing Assistant may be exposed to infected Veterans and contaminated materials, and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The Nursing Assistant may occasionally be exposed to Veterans who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The Nursing Assistant must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs.

Education

A copy of college transcripts is required at the time of application showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation, or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital 2501 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
• Name: Melinda Kuehl
• Phone: 6057452000 X22163
• Email: [email protected]