Since 1952, the Iowa City VA HCS has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. Our system serves more than 50,000 Veterans residing in 53 counties throughout Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northern Missouri. A recruitment/relocation incentive has been authorized for eligible, highly qualified applicants. Incentive may be pro-rated.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 14, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 1, 2024 with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. 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 Medical/Surgical Nursing Assistant receives a basic training in performing certain patient care duties. They are assigned on a regular basis to a patient ward and work a rotating tour of duty following formal classroom instruction and demonstration of competency in the nursing assistant duties, along with a few specific healthcare tech duties. Under carefully planned and controlled conditions in the clinical area, they perform the following relatively simple and repetitive tasks, which require elementary knowledge of patient or nursing care procedures, but is also trained to recognize emergent situations and take necessary action: Duties Include: Gives and assists with all types of cleansing baths and shampoos. Gives skin care to prevent complications and promote healing. Gives and assists with oral care and hygiene, including denture care. Assists with the use of bedpans and urinals. Applies external catheters and maintains patency or drainage. Assists with bowel and bladder training. Assists in providing ostomy care for established and uncomplicated ostomies under the direction of the RN. Maintains correct body positions. Turns patients as required using all types of supporting and comfort devices. Assists or provides patient transfers, activities, e.g. ambulation, litter, and or wheelchair to bed. Escorts patients to tests as needed. Assists with assembling equipment for sterile procedures, administration of oxygen, and vacuum/suction set­up under the direction of the RN. Meets the need for safe therapeutic environment by employing principals of medical asepsis, maintaining ward cleanliness by daily cleaning of patient unit and areas. Demonstrates recognition of cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation of adult and geriatric patient's needs and possesses an understanding of how to compensate for these changes. Takes and records temperatures, blood pressure, pulse, 02 saturation, pain, height, and weight. May also obtain and record vitals on patients requiring more than routine vital signs of the immediate post-op patient and patients who have uncomplicated special diagnostic procedures (i.e.: cardiac catheterization, post angiography, para and thoracentesis, post pacer placement, etc.) Additional Pay: Shift Differential - 10% of basic pay for work performed during regularly scheduled hours between 6pm and 6am. Weekend Premium - 25% of basic pay for work performed between the hours of midnight Friday and midnight Sunday. This includes continuous service connected to work performed during these hours. Holiday Pay - 2 times basic hourly rate for regularly scheduled, non-overtime work on a designated holiday. Work Schedule: Full time and Part time, days, evenings, and night tours available. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Note: A copy of college transcripts 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 (e.g., Nurse Aid Certificate) is required at the time of application. Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) 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: 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. 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 DETERMINATION: 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. In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade. To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels, your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) described below. GS-3 - Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 - Developmental Level 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 (transcripts required). 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 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. GS-5 - 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs listed 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 (transcripts required). AND 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 Physical Requirements: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over. ICVAHCS is a major interdisciplinary teaching facility, serving medical, surgical, and neurological inpatients and outpatients. There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires up to the entire shift of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Incumbent is required to lift up to 45 pounds, as 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. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital.

Education

IMPORTANT: This position has a positive education or training requirement. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the Nursing Assistant occupation or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant is required at the time of application. If basing your qualifications on education at the GS-4 or-5 levels, you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. You do not need to submit an official copy; however, your submitted transcript must include your name, name of school, name of program, total credits completed, date degree/certificate conferred. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore, the copy you submit must be legible.

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 Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Rhonda O'Hara
• Phone: 701-239-3700 X3653
• Email: Rhonda.O'[email protected]