These positions are being filled under the Nursing Assistant "Grow Your Own" training program focusing on the delegated nursing tasks for the adult who require long-term or rehabilitative (restorative) care. Emphasis is placed on promoting competence and confidence in meeting the basic safety needs of the elderly adult while developing therapeutic relationships, promoting personal care and comfort, and monitoring health and well-being.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** These positions involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-3. At the GS-2 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-3. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. Selected clinical experiences are provided to prepare students for the transition to entry-level nursing assistant practice. These Health Aid positions will be in the Nursing/Education service at the Togus VA Medical Center in Togus, ME. These are full-time, temporary positions with an initial appointment/training expected to last at least 6-8 weeks but may be extended up to 6 months. After successful completion of the program requirements, the individual may, at agency discretion, be converted to a permanent appointment, without further competition into a Nursing Assistant position. Temporary positions are not permanent status in the Federal service. Failure to complete the training program satisfactorily may result in termination of the temporary appointment. Become part of our Health Care team with on-the-job skills training. Enter as a Health Aid and graduate as a Nursing Assistant! Looking for a career change, a way into the nursing field or into the VA?VA Togus is launching an innovative, on-the-job training program, for those looking to become Nursing Assistants! We offer a 8 week intensive program for individuals interested in becoming a Nursing Assistant at the VA." The Health Aid is responsible for performing selected patient/resident related transports to different areas such as, x-rays, CT Scan, MRI, Prosthetics, Sonography and other related areas. The incumbent is expected to develop and demonstrate increasing skills in performing a variety of tasks. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Provides holistic in-patient care to Veterans in a manner conducive to the comfort and safety of those in the facility hospital units, living centers and/or household; Provides care for a group of patients/residents of varying ages; Provides a range of personal care as needed to include bathing, toileting, hair and nail care, and dressing in personal clothing while maintaining privacy and dignity of inpatient/resident; Assists patients with eating, drinking, positioning/ turning, ambulating, transferring, and escorting; Maintains general cleanliness of the inpatient/resident's environment including emptying and cleaning urinals, bed pans, GU bags and suction bottles, and disposing of dirty linen and disposable briefs; Utilizes specialized equipment such as ceiling lifters, Maxi lifters, wheelchair movers, steady and electric stretchers according to Safe Patient Handling and Movement Policy; Performs a range of clinical support duties; Takes, monitors, and documents resident weight and height; Collects urine, stool, sputum and other specimens for Laboratory analysis; Monitors flow of oxygen, replaces empty tanks, and fills personal use portable oxygen; Assists with inventory management and ordering of supplies; Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: The work schedule will be determined based on the needs of the Medical Center. The New England VA Medical Centers are acute care facility operating 24 hours a day 7 days a week. While most tours of duty are scheduled during the day, the possibility of working evenings, nights and weekends to exist. Additionally positions hired from this job announcement may be Part-time or Full-time based on needs of the facility. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required NOTE: This is a TEMPORARY appointment (not-to-exceed 6 months). This appointment may be renewed for additional service in accordance with Agency needs for 1 additional year. Temporary positions offer health insurance (if the employee is expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days) but do not offer life insurance or retirement benefits and may be terminated at any time before the expiration date. The appointment to a Temporary position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

Requirements

Qualifications

English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. ~AND~ To qualify for this position at the GS-2 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: Experience: You must have at least three (3) months of general experience in (1) any type of work that demonstrates your ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successfully completed high school graduation or the equivalent. NOTE: It is your responsibility to provide documentation or proof that you have met the applicable educational provision. A copy of your transcript, statement from the institution's registrar or appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable (i.e., copy of diploma, GED certification, etc.). To qualify for this position at the GS-3 grade level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: At least six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position or that provided a familiarity with subject matter and/or processes of this position. General experience includes helping in a healthcare or other patient care or personal care environment. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. ~OR~ SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Successful completion of one (1) year of study that included study in medical, health or other related fields. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college, or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: An equivalent combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience, as described above, which meet the total qualification requirements for this grade level. This education must have been obtained at an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. NOTE: Your experience must be documented in your resume and transcripts are required. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: CommunicationsFlexibilityLearning IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with residents requires regular and recurring bending, lifting (not to exceed 35 pounds), reaching, carrying, stooping, stretching and similar activities. Care duties are performed in an inpatient/resident-centered environment requiring normal safety precautions. Due to the essential functions of the job, the employee may be exposed to infectious waste, disease, odors, and other situations associated with health care, including but not limited to, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B, MRSA, and VRE. Universal precautions are followed at all times. While if completing kitchen responsibilities may be exposed to temperatures of refrigerators/freezers and ovens, as well as wet floors. The "Work Environment" factor considers the risks and discomforts in the employee's physical surroundings, or the nature of the work assigned, and the safety regulations required. Although the use of safety precautions can practically eliminate a certain danger or discomfort, such situations typically place additional demands upon the employee in carrying out safety regulations and techniques. The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, residences, or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]