Summary

Join us at the Fayetteville VAMC as a Nursing Assistant! One vacancy available - apply now!

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
• Education or Training
• 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. 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
• 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: (1) 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
• (2) 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 reentry to the occupation
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience [and] Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• 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 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/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
• 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 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 05 to 05
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Straight pulling
• Pulling hand overhand
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of fingers - both hands required
• Walking
• Standing
• Kneeling
• Repeated bending - both legs required
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/40 in the other
• Ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors
• Hearing without aid
• Hearing whispers
• Mental and Emotional Stability.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 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 refers deviation to appropriate health care staff - Provides direct care for complex veterans - Perform phlebotomy to collect blood samples as ordered
• - Collect stool and urine samples as ordered
• - Perform Point of care test urine pregnancy
• - Perform Electrocardiogram (EKG) for patients with chest pain and other indications as instructed by Registered Nurse
• - Perform inventory of belongings and continuous1:1 observation for safety of mental health patients
• - Transport patients to and from Emergency Department - Medical Surgical - or Community Living - Center to designated areas per nursing orders
• - 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
• - Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Safety through 1:1 observation and Line of Sight care - Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel - Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
• - Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately - Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures including but not limited to enemas - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces an prosthetic devices
• Work Schedule: 7:45a - 8:15p Alternating days (12hr schedule)