CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

Summary The Nursing Assistant GS-5 assigned to Acute Care functions as a member of the health care team. In addition to demonstrated knowledge - skill and ability at the GS-4 Nursing Assistant level - the Nursing Assistant GS-5 develops increased skills and acquires knowledge of more extensive - complex procedures. 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 Experience or Education or Training Six months of general experience Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation OR Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting 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: 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 AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Vocation 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 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: Venipuncture experience One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field (health technician - hospital corpsman) Observing - acting and/or reporting activities of the well and acutely ill patient that may require immediate attention in an inpatient ward or outpatient clinic Certification as a Nursing Assistant is preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over) Straight Pulling (6 hours) Pushing (6-10 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use fingers Both hands required Walking (6-10 hours) Standing (6-10 hours) Kneeling (1 hour) Repeated bending (4 hours) Both legs required Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Ability to distinguish shades of color Hearing (aid permitted) Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant GS-5 assigned to Acute Care functions as a member of the health care team In addition to demonstrated knowledge - skill and ability at the GS-4 Nursing Assistant level - the Nursing Assistant GS-5 develops increased skills and acquires knowledge of more extensive - complex procedures Duties: Sufficient knowledge of human structure - function - illnesses and disease entities to communicate effectively with nurses - patients physicians and families Knowledge - training skill sufficient to collect a variety of specimens such as clean catch and catheterized urine - sputum - wound dressing and explain the procedure and reason for it to patient/family Knowledge - training and skill sufficient to observe record and accurately report physical and emotional conditions and changes in the patients condition for consideration in the plan of care Knowledge - training skill sufficient to operate commonly used equipment involved in treatment modalities Knowledge - training & skill sufficient to follow isolation protocol and assist a physician or nurse in maintaining a sterile field in such procedures as minor surgery - insertion of urinary catheter etc Knowledge of anatomy - training & skill sufficient to perform venipunctures for laboratory specimens to place EKG and monitoring leads accurately - to use good body mechanics while providing care and to remove clothing and move patient without causing further injury or discomfort Knowledge and skills of standardized psychiatric care sufficient to effectively initiate the management of hostile - aggressive patients - asking for assistant appropriately Work Schedule: 0730-2000 and 1930-0800 - alternating nights and weekends 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) 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 #: 51425F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs