Nursing Assistant - Acute Care - Temporary

Summary The Nursing Assistant position at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System plays a vital role in supporting the care - safety - and recovery of Veterans in an acute care environment. As the Nursing Assistant progresses from GS-3 to GS-5 - responsibilities increase in complexity - autonomy - and clinical judgment - reflecting professional growth and mastery of competencies required to support Veterans effectively. 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 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 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 - [Experience or] Education or Training (1) Six months of general experience Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR - (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation (transcripts required) OR - (3) 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. (transcripts required) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates GS-3 Nursing Assistant (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 Nursing Assistant (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 - healthcare 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: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner iii 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 iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals (d) Assignment i: 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 health care professionals ii In this role - the NA 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 NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 i 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.ii 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.iii 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) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit Preferred Experience: Experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) - including providing direct patient care in an acute care or hospital setting Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Nursing Assistants help monitor patient conditions - assist with daily living activities - maintain therapeutic relationships - and contribute to patient treatment plans This role requires compassion - strong communication skills - attention to detail - and a commitment to serving those who have served our nation Major Duties - GS-3 (Entry Level) Provide basic nursing care - including bathing - dressing - grooming - feeding - toileting - and assisting with personal hygiene Help patients with mobility needs - including turning - repositioning - ambulating - and transferring safely Measure and record vital signs - intake/output - and promptly report changes to licensed staff Maintain a clean and safe patient environment by assisting with bed making - stocking supplies - and general cleanliness Observe patient behavior and report notable physical or emotional changes Follow infection-control standards - safety guidelines - and facility procedures Major Duties - GS-4 (Developmental Level) Perform all GS-3 duties with increasing independence and clinical awareness Care for patients with more complex physical - emotional - or behavioral care needs Assist with restorative and rehabilitative activities to promote independence Collect specimens (urine - stool - sputum) using proper handling and labeling methods Document care and observations accurately and in accordance with VA requirements Participate in team discussions and contribute meaningful observations to patient care planning Major Duties - GS-5 (Full Performance Level) Perform all GS-3 and GS-4 duties at full proficiency with minimal supervision Provide care to patients with acute - chronic - or specialized medical conditions requiring advanced knowledge and skill Recognize and report significant changes in patient condition using sound judgement Assist in preparing patients for diagnostic tests and clinical procedures Reinforce patient and family teaching provided by licensed nursing staff Serve as a resource and mentor to lower-graded Nursing Assistants - including assisting with training and orientation Conditions of Employment additional: Tour of Duty/Flexible Scheduling Applicants must understand that Acute Care is a 24-hour - 7-day-a-week operation - including weekends and federal holidays The selected applicant will be expected to work and/or provide coverage on off-tours or alternate tours based on patient care requirements - staffing - and operational needs of the unit Flexibility in tour assignments is a condition of employment for this position PMDB Training: The selected applicant is required to successfully complete and maintain all applicable Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) training and competencies Acute Care is designated as a high-risk clinical area - required PMDB training must be completed as a participant - not solely as an observer - including applicable hands‑on training and competency validation Successful completion and maintenance of required PMDB training is a condition of employment for this position Work Schedule: Primarily 7:00 p.m to 7:30 a.m (night shift) Actual tour of duty may vary and can include 8 - or 12 - hour shifts - day or night assignments - weekends - and holidays Final scheduling will be determined by the supervisor based on patient care requirements and facility needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: GS3 40811F - GS4 40812F - and GS5 40813F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Pscfl