Summary

General Description: The Nursing Assistant is considered to be the full performance level for NAs. The NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative - acute - subacute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is location in Nursing Service - Interventional Radiology within VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS).

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
• General Experience: Six months general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
• OR Education: One year of education above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation
• OR Training: Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (e.g. - Nurse Aid Certification course) may also meet the experience requirements for GS-3. Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-03 Nursing Assistant Entry Level: Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Nursing Assistant 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
• (transcripts 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 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
• 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
• (transcripts required) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) 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 Experience Perioperative Nursing Care Experience Minimum 2-years Nursing Assistant 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 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: 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
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• 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
• Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm - 8 hour shifts with occasional Weekends - Holidays and rotating on-call Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53117-F/53118-F/53119-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized