Nursing Assistant
Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Location: Columbia
Posted on: May 26, 2023
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Job Description:
Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain
open until August 2, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of
eligible applications will be May 17,2023. After this date,
qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies
become available. The Nursing Assistant can serve in one of the
many areas listed below: Emergency Department Progressive Care Unit
ICU 4 Medicine (MED/SURG) 3 Surgery Behavioral Health(Inpatient)
Community Living Center Float Pool Responsibilities This is an OPEN
CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 2, 2023.
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will
be May 17,2023. After this date, qualified applicants will be
considered and referred as vacancies become available. Major Duties
Assists with patient activities of daily living such as:
ambulation, personal care such as bathing skin care, shaving, oral
hygiene, feeding, and escort duties, measure and record oral intake
and urinary output, vital signs, weights, collection of routine
specimens, and answering of call lights. Obtains and reports
information regarding patients' condition to Team Leader &/or
Charge nurse, (i.e. vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of
drainage, skin integrity, patency of airway, change in vital signs,
pain level, whole blood glucose, change in mental status, etc.) and
records appropriate data. Maintains safe environment by protecting
patient from physical injury to self or others. Demonstrate
increasing skills in relation to others and in motivating patients.
Assist the nurse and/or physician with technical and therapeutic
procedures. Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing
the comfort and spirit of the patient. Provides escort (transport)
service for patients requiring assistance. Performs basic
phlebotomy duties. Work Schedule: Various (Various
Schedules/Shifts) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a
virtual position. Functional Statement #: Nursing Assistant, GS
3/4/5 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent
Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure
Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants
will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health
Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional
Information" below for details. 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. 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
requirement for GS-3. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and
Handbook 5019. See below. 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. Quality
of Experience: To be creditable, NA experience must be documented
on the application or resume and verified in an employment
reference, or through other independent means. Part-Time
Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to
its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA
employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1
full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade
Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for
employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the
grade of candidates. GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and
Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments.
Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry
level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA(a) 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, (b) 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 (c) 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. (d) Assignment 1. 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
healthcare professionals. 2. In this role, the Nursing Assistant
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 Nursing Assistant in
this role provides care under close supervision and refers
issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other
healthcare professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level) (a)
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, (b) 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 (c) 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. d) 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. 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). The
full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.Preferred
Experience:-Certified Nursing Assistant or One year of NA
experience-BLS Certification References: Veterans Health
Administration, VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46 Physical
Requirements: The position requires visual activity, keen hearing,
clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity. This position requires
potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping,
sitting, bending, pulling, pushing and reaching over head.
Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent
may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and
may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations
or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be
exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium,
dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature,
flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in
stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient
needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements; such as
annual TB screenings or testing if required for the specific area
they are assigned, as a condition of employment. Incumbent may be
exposed, on a short-term basis to fumes, dusts and other debris.
The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 45
pounds or more. This employee must be able to carry 45 pounds'
short distances. This position potentially requires flexibility in
schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital and is an
essential function of the position. 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:
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be
used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted
Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages
persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in
VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A
excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01,
VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated
against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law
(i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include
remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If
selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before
your start date. The agency will provide additional information
regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how
you can request a legally required accommodation from this
requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are
unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit
documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this
Job Opportunity Announcement.
Keywords: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Columbia , Nursing Assistant, Healthcare , Columbia, South Carolina
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