This Nursing Assistant position is located within VA Black Hills Health Care System, Geriatrics and Extended Care, Home Health unit. This Nursing Assistant serves as a Home Health Aid, providing high quality health care services to Veterans in the comfort of their own home. The Nursing Assistant is responsible for assessing patient needs, developing care plans and providing basic nursing care to Veterans of all ages, under the direction of an RN.

Duties

The services of the Home Health Aid are used as an alternative to nursing home care or in combination with other home and community based services. This Nursing Assistant position serves the rural areas of the VA Black Hills Healthcare Systems. The Nursing Assistant will travel within a 60 mile radius of Rapid City, SD, but may be based out of any of the following 3 locations: Hot Springs, SD; Fort Meade, SD; or Rapid City SD, whichever location is closest to the candidates home of record. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Measures and records vital signs and measurements including temperature, pulse, respirations, pain, blood pressure, height, weight, abdominal or extremity girth, peripheral blood sugar, pulse oximetry, etc. Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) and delivers basic physical and emotional care to patients with complex needs. Provides focused education and support to Veterans, caregivers and their families; providing excellent customer service in a changing work environment. Maintains accurate, detailed, and timely reports and records; documenting observations, changes in patient's condition and response to nursing interventions in a manner which supports medical necessity. Assists in the development of the nursing care plan by defining problems/needs and suggesting nursing actions based on information gained through interaction with the patient. Participates in on-going quality improvement initiatives. Communicates with Veterans, PCP, Pharmacist and care team of all significant changes, compliance issues, overall condition of Veteran, while adhering to all VA Rules and regulations. Reconciles medications and supplies to ensure proper care for wounds, drains, etc. Recognizes and reports unsafe situations and initiates appropriate emergency intervention. Other duties as assigned. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm. Travel Requirement: Travel within a 60-mile radius of Rapid City, SD required to care for Veterans in a home health setting. 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 VA Black Hills Health Care System is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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 Requirement. To be at least minimally qualified for the nursing assistant occupation in VA, applicants must have completed at least one of the following: General Experience: Six months general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant. Education: One year of education above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation. Training: Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (e.g., Nurse Aid Certification course) may also meet the experience requirements for GS-3. Note: If basing all or part of your qualifications on education or training, copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the nursing assistant 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 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 - Developmental 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 (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 residents' 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 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. Preferred Experience: Home Health experience preferred, but not required. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Must demonstrate medical ability to safely operate the appropriate motor vehicle. The population of patients service ranges from adult (age 18) to the elderly (age 65 and older). Nursing Assistant duties require a certain level of physical fitness and stamina for spending long periods of the work days on feet. May be asked to help position or move patients and provide basic nursing care that may expose the incumbent to infected patients and contaminated materials. Occasionally, the incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or physical disorders. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: If basing all or part of your basic qualifications on education or training, an unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the Nursing Assistant occupation or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant is required to verify you meet the basic qualification requirements.

If basing your qualifications on education at the GS-4 or -5 levels, you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. You do not need to submit an official copy; however, your submitted transcript must include your name, name of school, name of program, total credits completed, date degree/certificate conferred. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore, the copy you submit must be legible.
Candidates who do not yet meet the basic education requirement but are currently enrolled in a post high school technical school, junior college, college, or university completing coursework related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, must provide proof of enrollment at the time of application.

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 VA Black Hills Health Care System 113 Comanche Road Fort Meade, SD 57741 US
• Name: Amanda DeCobra
• Phone: 3202521670 X5906
• Email: [email protected]