About this role
Job SummaryThe employee is assigned as a member of the nursing team in GEC Unit. The Certified Nursing Assistant is assigned to areas requiring specialized skills, perceptive judgement, observation, and use of complex equipment.
QualificationsApplicants 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 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level). Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant.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 Nursing Assistants; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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-5 Nursing Assistant (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 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: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 NAs 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: Long Term Care Experience Reference: 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard, GS-621 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: Duties require extensive period of standing, sitting and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching and similar activities. The employee provides physical restraints for confused or combative patients as necessary. The nursing assistant must be physically able to lift to meet the physical standards of the position as evaluated by Employee Health.
Major DutiesDuties include, but are not limited to: a. Performs a variety of assigned duties and checks with minimal direction from the professional nurse. b. Observes, reports and records concrete and subtle changes in patients' behaviors. c. Is available to speak to the patients in distress with the knowledge to de-escalate the patients in crises. d. Provides for adequate nutrition and hydration of patients' according to the interdisciplinary plan of care. e. Recognizes and reports physical and behavior changes - is empathetic to patients' emotional needs. f. Participates in nursing report and offers information. g. Plans and organizes work and establishes priorities of care. h. Exercises responsibility to maintain a clean and safe physical environment. Reports equipment in need of repair, detects and reports unsafe conditions, interprets and enforces safety and fire regulations to residents, visitors and co-workers. i. Runs daily goals and reflection groups. j. Maintains Dayroom and completes patient rounds, doing 15 and 30 minute checks. k. Has completed PMDB or its equivalent. Work Schedule: Tour 3 1530-2400, rotating days off, every 3rd weekend off Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:08379F, 08380F, 08381F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
