The Nursing Assistant is a member of the nursing care team and assists 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.

Duties

The Nursing assistant's primary purpose will be to serve in a capacity as a member of the nursing team, performing a variety of nursing assignments of general nature; administering care to patients and support to providers and nurses in the performance of personal care; assisting with diagnostic examinations; and treating the patient, family/significant other/co-workers and peers with respect and courtesy at all times. Some basic computer skills will be essential to performing your duties as a Nurse Assistant. You will be required to enter specific information into the patients' electronic records or charts using standard medical terminology. You will be responsible for teaching patients and family members the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care and encouraging patients in self-care activities within their individual capacities as outline on their care plan. You will be required to perform other related duties as assigned. The Nursing Assistant provides technical nursing care to the adult and geriatric patients according to the established plan of care by the health care team. Diagnostic and therapeutic duties which includes, but may not be limited to the following: obtaining and recording vital signs, measuring and recording intake and outputs, Accucheck blood glucose monitoring and recording, provide all aspects of ADL's to include, toileting, ambulating, transporting, feeding, bathing, bed making, turning and positioning patients; providing oral, nail, hair and related hygiene care; may include tube feedings; assisting physician or nurse with diagnostic procedures and exams; suctioning mouth and larynx; performs a range of treatment procedures which includes using hot and cold packs; discontinuing I.V. catheters, performs EKG's, bladder scans, colostomy care and other procedures as specified by nursing policy; Incumbent also recognizes emergency situations; initiates CPR and seeks assistance. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Rotating, Nights/Weekends/Holidays - 0730-1600, 0730-2000, 1130-2000, 1130-2400, 1530-2400, 1930-0800, 2330-0800 Compressed/Flexible:Available. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 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. 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-3. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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: Nursing Assistant, GS-03 (Entry Level): Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. Nursing Assistant, GS-04: 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; 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. Assignment Individuals assigned as GS-4 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants, 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 Nursing Assistants or other healthcare professionals. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistant, 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 Nursing Assistant, or other healthcare professionals. Nursing Assistant, GS-05 (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. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following professional 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 Nursing Assistants 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants 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. Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. Preferred Experience: BLS Certification. Six months Patient Care Experience, Cardiac/Medical/Surgical experience 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 in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and 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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]