The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is location in Nursing Service (Patient Care Services) within VANTHCS. The Nursing assistant performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, positive and outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the veteran.

Duties

All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task.Major Duties include but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans. Maintains positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups. Utilizing principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. Sets up patient care related equipment. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Works as cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of confidential nature. Uses proper safety practices. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures. Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Work Schedule: 8 or 12 hours; day, evening, night shifts; rotating weekends/holidays per needs of the service Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 52804-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. 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, this part.) Experience or Education or Training: Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 re-entry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-03 Entry Level - Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04 Developmental Level Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 two 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-05 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; 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1. 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. 2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. 3. 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: Direct patient care - feeding, bathing, walking, transfers, patient safety (min 6 month experience). Patient Care Documentation experience. Medical terminology preferred.. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G17. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05 Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient Handling Policy except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both hands required; walking 8 12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours intermittently; kneeling 8 to 12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours, intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently, both legs required; near vision at 13 to 16" Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing aid permitted; twisting, simply grasp and fine manipulation.

Education

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

One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your 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 Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]