The Nursing Assistant (NA) at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship.

Duties

Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf The duties outlined below are at the full performance level GS-5. The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship. Duties will include, but are not limited to: Patient-care duties as specifically outlined in the CLC NA Orientation Checklist. Performs daily care for residents including but not limited to: activities of daily living, dressing, hygiene care, nail care, toileting, restorative programs , assistance with feeding, decluttering, end-of-life care, and post-mortem care. Demonstrates a caring, compassionate, and respectful attitude. Verbalizes and demonstrates understanding of the long sheet and importance of daily utilization of the form. Use appropriate customer service guidelines as listed in the orientation check-off packet, which includes CLC Veteran-Centered Care, resident preferences, and Cultural Transformation. Working knowledge of shower/tub room processes. Understands resident preferences and respect/dignity in implementing those preferences. Understanding of each neighborhood on unit, processes, and residents. Proper process of entering and exiting rooms. Assist other staff as necessary to ensure proper care. Understanding and use of nurse call system, answering alarm/phone appropriately, responding promptly to resident situation. Understanding of the Wanderguard system process, policy, and prompt response to alarm. Ability to utilize VA computers and programs to complete CLC NA duties, enter leave as required , and access work schedule. Documents accurately and in a timely manner. Completes all mandatory and other training, including, not limited to TMS, orientation, in-service, Interdisciplinary Care Plan meetings as assigned, annual competencies and staff meetings. Understands, participates, and ensures completion of Purposeful Rounding in assigned neighborhood to ensure resident safety. Understands that the CLC is a restraint- free environment. Verbalize and understand what is considered a restraint. Understands, verbalizes, adheres to, and documents Fall Prevention guidelines, interventions, policies, and protocols. Demonstrates understanding regarding the pain scale, asking residents about their pain level, performing non-pharmacological measures to alleviate pain. Reports pain level to medication nurse and notifies med nurse if pain level does not improve. Demonstrates proper use of safety and lift equipment. Ensures the safety of residents and staff. Participates as assigned in fire safety, emergent needs, and environmental safety as described in orientation validation paperwork. Verbalizes and demonstrates understanding of skin breakdown, pressure injury preventative measures, and notifying licensed staff of new/worsening areas of redness, skin breakdown, and concerns. Use appropriate infection control measures. Work Schedule: 7:30pm to 08:00am; rotating schedule utilizing self-scheduling including weekends and holidays Compressed: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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. Functional Statement #: 52675-F, 52676-F, 52677-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Note: This is a Bargaining Unit Position.

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Experience or 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 meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. ii. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. iii. 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. iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (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 in subparagraph (c) 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. i 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. ii 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. iii 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: Certification preferred Six months to a year experience Long-Term Care/Rehab/Hospice Hands-on experience at bedside/patient care. Dementia experience preferred 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: The position will require moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), straight pulling (1 hour), pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (6 hours), standing (3 hours), kneeling (0.5 hours), and repeated bending.

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/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]