This is a general announcement for the Nursing Assistant position at the Albany VAMC. Positions available can be for any unit/service of the hospital and will be discussed during your interview. This is an open continuous announcement until January 12th, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available 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. English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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 which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant 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-3 Nursing Assistant: Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above. GS-4 Nursing Assistant: Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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: 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 Demonstrate 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 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: One year hospital or nursing home experience. References: Nursing Assistant, VA HANDBOOK 5005/71, PART II, APPENDIX G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and moving of objects may be required. ["As the Nursing Assistant you will perform care as delegated by a Registered Nurse to patients within the unit and medical center. You will perform work in assisting other medical personnel in the care or treatment of patients who have serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses or medical conditions. Your basic responsibilities will include (but are not limited to) : Recognizing mal-adaptive behaviors and de-escalating situations. Assisting doctors and nurses in the performing diagnostic examinations. Properly documenting vital signs in computerized records. Performing patient care and comfort measures addressing patient's bio psychosocial needs, personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, hydration, rehabilitation, and safety. Reporting abnormalities to appropriate personnel. Recognizing emergency situations and intervening within your scope of practice, while waiting for assistance. Communicating with people from various backgrounds and education levels. Transporting patient to and from procedures if needed All other duties as assigned. Reassignment to another clinical area is possible to include change in tour, off tour rotation and weekend/holiday rotation during reassignment to meet the facility needs Work Schedule: To be discussed during you interview, varies. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required."]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
