The Long-Term Care nursing assistant provides direct care to Veterans with a variety of chronic medical conditions in a home-like environment. On this 60-bed unit, NAs care for Veterans with an array of conditions including short stay rehabilitation needs, skilled nursing needs, long stay, SCI, dementia care and hospice. This position is located at the main Reno VA campus.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips (i.e. off campus appointments, VA eye clinic, dialysis, etc.), reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision Works on small group activities with Veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the Veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Utilizes equipment to promote the Veteran self-care, such as lift equipment and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Participates in safety measures: Purposeful Rounding, No Pass Zone, etc. Work Schedule: Varies must accept all shifts. Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Preferred Experience: One year of nursing assistant experience in long-term care or skilled nursing is preferred but not required.

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. 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: GS-3: Experience: There is no additional experience required beyond the basic qualifications. This is an entry level position refer to VA handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-46. GS-4: 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). 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 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. The GS-4 NA qualification must in compliance with qualification standards outlined in VA handbook 5005. Part II. Appendix G-46. The GS-5 nursing assistant is the full performance level. The expected experience is one year of progressive responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level, which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific NA assignment; OR education that results in 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 care or possession of a bachelor's degree; and the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSA's listed below: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual employee health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019 or as outlined in U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Certificate of Medical Examination, Form OMB No. 3206-0250.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

The Nursing Assistant (NA) has one year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation as a basic employment requirement. Completion of an intensive course of study less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS 3. The NA should be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g) NA's must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, and section A. paragraph 3j.

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 Sierra Nevada Health Care System 975 Kirman Avenue Reno, NV 89502 US
• Name: Solmaira Crispaldi
• Phone: 1-215-866-6721
• Email: [email protected]