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.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant (NA) will work in Inpatient Mental Health under carefully planned and controlled conditions in the clinical area. The NA should be able to recognize emergent situations and take necessary action. The NA performs the following relatively simple and repetitive task which require basic knowledge of patient or nursing care procedures. Duties include but are not limited to: Gives and assists with all types of cleansing baths, shampoos, skin care to prevent complications and promote healing, assists with oral care and hygiene, including denture care. Meets the need for safe therapeutic environment by employing principals of medical asepsis, maintaining ward cleanliness by daily cleaning of patient unit and areas. Properly handles soiled and clean linen according to policy. Applies all types of physical restraints and protective devices as ordered. Employs techniques of emergency evacuation in the case of fire and/or disaster. Knows the purpose of all ward equipment and seeks assistance as needed. 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. Performs basic patient care activities and duties as assigned, such as taking vitals and recording measurements. Adheres to principles of patient safety, fall safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times. 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 patient in alcohol withdrawal or other medically compromised patients. Collects, labels, and delivers any urine, stool, sputum, nasal swabs, nasal washing, and rectal swabs in presence of the patient using two (2) identifiers, as per policy, and delivers to the lab. Ensures all pertinent patient information is provided to the RN for inclusion in the nursing care plan. Must possess communication skills to work effectively and diplomatically with Health Care System employees, patients, and visitors. Assists with the use of bedpans and urinals. Applies external catheters and maintains patency or drainage. Assists ward staff with direct patient care activities as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time, Primarily Night Shift: 7:30pm-8:00am & 11:30pm- 8:00am. Off tour rotation, Days: 7:30am- 8:00pm & 7:30am- 4:00pm. Evenings: 3:30pm-12:00am & 11:30pm-8:00am, rotating weekends/holidays. All tours are dependent on unit and organizational need. Compressed Schedule: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: US Citizenship is required. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.). English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupation Health Service for requirements. Experience, Education or Training: (1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA. OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3. Note: If basing your qualifications on education, 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 to verify you meet the basic education/training requirement. While not required at the time of application, documentation may be required to receive further consideration. 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: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 - Developmental Level: Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. 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: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. 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 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2024. Physical requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Preferred Experience: Mental Health

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 Iowa City VA Health Care System 601 Highway 6 West Iowa City, IA 52246 US
• Name: Rhonda O'Hara
• Phone: 210-617-5300 X60114
• Email: Rhonda.O'[email protected]