The NA at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The significant factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involved more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

Duties

All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans. Provides direct care for complex veterans. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Performs oral and nasopharyngeal suctioning. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitors and documents patient intake and output. 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. Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to patients/veterans' treatment plan. Recognizes the resident's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in treatment planning meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, hydro sound tubs, and veteran/resident wandering system. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/resident's plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Work Schedule: Day shift (7:30am- 8:00pm); Night shifts (7:30pm-8:00am; 3:30pm-12:00am); 8 &12 hr shifts; based on needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. 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. [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. 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-03: Meet the basic requirements for the Nursing Assistant position, have six (6) 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. GS-04: In addition to the basic requirements, have 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, have successfully completed 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, healthcare 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): - 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 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. Assignment: i. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other health care professionals. ii. In this role, the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other health care professionals. GS-05: In addition to the basic requirements, have one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, can demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR,I have successfully completed 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 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. Assignment: This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs 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 outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. 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. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. Preferred Experience: Direct patient care (1 year or greater). Remote monitoring of patients experience preferred. Microsoft and/or Excel experience preferred. Certified Nursing Assistant 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-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.

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/.

1. Accreditation Information: Please site specific the accreditation information from the qualification standards or use the generic description for all others. Example - Sample for LPMHC: The master's or doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from http://www.cacrep.org/directory/.
2. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
3. NOTE: If your school was accredited by at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]