Nursing Assistant

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, 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 (transcripts required) OR Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. (proof of completion required) Physical Requirements Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation as required by VA Handbook 5019 This evaluation is administered by VA Occupational Health English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English Grandfathering Provisions: All NAs 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: 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 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 re-entry to the occupation GS-5 (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 (transcripts required) AND Demonstrated KSAs In addition, you must demonstrate the following 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- These preferences are highly desired but are not required: Mental Health: Minimum of 1 year of Psychiatric Nurse Aid/Tech, Inpatient psychiatric experience and/or Camera monitor experience Medical/Surgery: 1 year of medical and/or surgical experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. ]]>