The Nursing Assistant positions are within the Primary Care service line located at the White River Junction VA Medical Center and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located at Vermont (Bennington, Burlington, Newport, Rutland) and New Hampshire (Littleton). These positions are full-time at 40 hours per week. This announcement is intended to fill current and future vacancies.

Duties

The purpose of this Nursing Assistant position is to improve the quality and timeliness by which basic services are delivered to our patients to relieve clinicians of the demands of providing routine non-professional services. The incumbent must possess the personal qualities, desire and attitude necessary to adapt to rapidly changing demands on time and an ability to quickly acquire needed skills to perform assigned tasks. In addition, the incumbent is expected to contribute to their self-development through outside reading, self-study activities and other training initiatives. Duties include but are not limited to: Take vital signs: blood pressure, weight, height, pulse, pulse oximetry and glucometry. Perform CPR and First Aid procedures in patient emergencies. Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contribute information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment. Perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient needs for personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity/exercise/rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative aspects of care. Perform and document prescribed medical treatments and interventions for patients such as simple dressing changes. Utilize rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encourage and guide patients in bowel and bladder training. Monitor patients according to levels of observations (i.e. one to one suicide, continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding). Monitor Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and/or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refer issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Report patient status to the RN and document pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures. Set up patient care related equipment such as oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction and, assist in monitoring proper functioning of equipment. Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment. Assist with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguard the patient right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, days. Hours to be determined in conjunction with manager and clinic needs. Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F1022, F1023, F1024 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on May 21, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 3, 2023 with subsequent reviews every other week as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled. Please see the "What To Expect Next" area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement. This position is in the Excepted Service. This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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 English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 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 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 Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to theGS-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 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 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. IMPORTANT: For all gradesyou must submit verification of Education or Training that demonstrates:One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation or 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. Failure to submit the appropriate supporting documentation with application may result in loss of consideration under this announcement. Preferred Experience: Primary Care and/or outpatient experience preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 APPENDIX G46. NURSING ASSISTANT QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-621 Veterans Health Administration 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 work requires the Nursing Assistant to be mobile throughout the Medical Center as needed, involving standing, walking, bending, pushing and lifting (moderate-heavy). The Nursing Assistant should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment.

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 White River Junction VA Medical Center 215 North Main St. White River Jct., VT 05009 US
• Name: Jessica Steed
• Phone: (802) 295-9363 X2021
• Email: [email protected]