The Nursing Assistant (NA) occupation 0621 series function 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. The Nursing Assistant also assumes a peer education/mentorship.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant performs nursing procedures and duties on an assigned patient area and has special responsibilities with his/her patients, using an interdisciplinary team nursing approach in providing holistic care. The NA observes, reports, and documents changes in patients' conditions. In addition, charting on each patient's medical record is done regularly according to set nursing and unit standards of care. The NA assists with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the delivery of specialized nursing care and emergency care of patients as needed. He/she uses therapeutic communication to intervene with psychiatric, geriatric, and/or medical patients. The NA shows concern for the safety, whereabouts and welfare of all patients on the assigned unit. Follow-through by the NA on the assigned patients' treatment plans is necessary for continuity of care. Provides direct patient care to complex Veterans as assigned including all aspects of personal care and grooming Assists the RN, LPN, and other members of the interdisciplinary team with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veteran's care needs Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition Makes observations of changes in patient's condition, i.e., escalating behaviors, mood, skin integrity, vital signs, appetite, skin coloration, bowel and bladder control, hydration, etc. and reports to charge nurse Performs procedures and complex medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence Participates in maintaining a clean and safe environment Removes defective equipment and reports safety hazards immediately Utilizes lift equipment appropriately and safely to promote patient transfers; uses proper body mechanics. Maintains aseptic technique when performing specified procedures Promotes the values of cultural transformation and Veteran-centered care to nursing staff in CLC. Actively seeks Veteran preferences in care plan participation and goal development. Offers suggestions to improve the Veteran's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functions and quality of life. This would include suggestions for restorative or rehabilitative care Supports and enhances Veteran self-determination; treats the Veteran with dignity and respect Consistently follows policies, SOPS, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control Reports required information for hand-off communication to charge nurse and co-workers, including to other members of the interdisciplinary team and other applicable staff and departments, and completes the necessary documentation for these duties Under the direction of the RN, the NA educates Veterans on their care needs as appropriate to NA skill level Communicates professionally and courteously with families and significant others, as appropriate Completes all assigned routine documentation in CPRS, Care Tracker, and other areas as required Monitors Veterans for risk behaviors including, but not limited to, elopement, wandering, suicide, fall, behavior, and skin conditions; acting, when indicated, to include communicating to appropriate personnel when further intervention is needed and completing necessary documentation Exercise's skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for Veterans and communicates appropriately with family members. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the unit Veterans with various medical, cognitive, and psychiatric conditions Responds during emergencies, assists during fire drills, and responds to any safety issues as they arise. Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire, safety, and disaster regulations' practices and procedures, and communicates expectations to staff. Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promotes a safe workplace. Encourages other staff compliance with safety policies Participates on committees/ task forces, research projects, or in developing educational materials/media when requested. Participates in quality improvement activities Under the direction of the RN, the NA assists with discharge planning needs of Veterans, as well as the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Varies Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Nursing Assistant Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Requirements

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. 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. 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. 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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience/Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA 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 bladderscan, 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 NA (Full Performance Level (FPL)) 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.; 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). 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: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019

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

Contacts

• Address Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Shala Johnson
• Phone: (412) 822-2186
• Email: [email protected]