If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12168505-24-AB. This position is located within the Nursing Operations Service at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Nursing Assistant is responsible for providing safe, effective care to veterans within a variety of settings such as Critical Care, Acute Care, Emergency Room and/or Mental Health.

Duties

This is an Open Continuous Announcement to fill multiple vacancies in various Services within the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. Applications will remain on file until September 30, 2024. The duties of the Nursing Assistant in the Nursing Operations Service include, but are not limited to: Assists patients/residents with activities of daily living, i.e., bathing, shaving, feeding, oral hygiene, ambulation, dressing, etc. Transports veterans within the medical center. Responsible for taking, recording, and reporting vital signs accurately. Documents vital signs and activities of daily living in the electronic health record. Observes patients who may be confused or have other cognitive issues, provides a safe environment, and reports to nurse when condition changes. Initiates emergency action in life threatening situations such as cardiac and/or respiratory arrest, massive bleeding, shock, or assaultive behavior and alerts licensed personnel immediately. Communicates orally with patients/residents, their families, interdisciplinary team, and other healthcare professionals. Properly utilizes equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, EKGs, etc. Provides patient care and support that is appropriate to the cognitive, physical, and emotional needs of the patients served. Serves veterans with traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, paralysis, and amputations. Assists in inpatient areas as assigned, performs other duties, and provides care under the direction of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and/or licensed healthcare providers. Work Schedule: Various tours/shifts with rotating weekends based on patient care needs. The section and tour of duty will be identified upon call for interview. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00349-F, 564-00350-F, 564-00351-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-03. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Nursing Assistant 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 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. GS-05 Nursing Assistant(Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, 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: The physical demands involve heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (1 hour), pulling hand over hand (1 hour), pushing (1 hour), frequent reaching above shoulders, walking (7 hours), standing (7 hours), keeling and repeated bending (0.5 hours), and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Physical characteristics include the use of both hands and fingers required, 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 basic colors and shades of colors, hearing (with or without aid), and mental and emotional stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services) Environmental Factors. Conditions include working outside and inside, exposure to dust, working around machinery with moving parts, working with hands in water, and using detergents and antiseptic solutions. Nursing Assistants will work closely with others and protracted or irregular work schedules will be required. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services)

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 Fayetteville AR VA Medical Center 1100 North College Avenue Fayetteville, AR 72703 US
• Name: April Bookout
• Phone: 315-800-7297
• Email: [email protected]