The Nursing Assistant serves as a member of a nursing team and is responsible for providing physical care for and/or assistance to patients including: bathing, showering, shaving, grooming, feeding, ambulating, weighing, positioning patients with prescribed physical limitations; maintains appropriate skin care precautions

Duties

Work Schedule: Varies: Mon-Fri with alternating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 640-00610F, 640-00611F, 640-00612F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required The Nursing Assistant assists, as assigned, in observation of stable post-operative patients and medical patients requiring additional observation. Is able to take as assigned patient load and assume care for more complicated patients. Assists with transferring and transporting medically compromised and seriously ill patients to test/procedures via gurneys and wheelchairs. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Assists with admissions, transfers, discharges, postmortem care and nursing care procedures specific to the ward. Observes critically ill postoperative patients who have had anesthetics and/or medical patients who require constant observation. Is alert for changes in vital signs which indicate bleeding, respiratory distress, and level of consciousness. Independently performs 12 lead EKG. Uses skills and knowledge of basic normal versus abnormal vital signs to adapt patient care activities, and takes and records vital signs and intakes and output and empty drains. Teaches and guides patients in the development of cleanliness and sound health practices in all aspects of daily living. Feed and assists patient during meals. Observes aspiration precautions. Is alert to special dietary needs and takes action according to the patient's diagnosis and behavior. Supports and reinforces diet instruction such as given to diabetics and others on special diets and restrictions. Uses knowledge of individual special interest and skills in guiding and motivating the patient. Assists in performing selected rehabilitation techniques such as range of motion, speech retraining, with the ultimate goal of patients return to active community living.

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 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. 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. Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 Determinations:GS-3: Entry Level Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4: Intermediate 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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 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, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 G46The 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: Duties require moving and transporting patients with limited or no mobility, pushing and pulling items such as gurneys, scales (bed and standing) and other equipment on a regular and recurring basis. The workload also requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping,stretching, repositioning patients, and physical control against emotionally ill patients. The workload involves trips to another building for the purpose of transporting patients, specimens and/or patient records. Duties are performed in an environment involving regular and recurring exposure to infection and contagious diseases. The work also involves a high risk of regular and recurring exposure to potentially dangerous substances, such as fumes, explosive gases, and radiation. Safety precautions are required. This work involves regular and recurring exposure to situations where physical attack by patients may occur.

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

Contacts

• Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Solmaira Crispaldi
• Email: [email protected]