Nursing Assistant - Emergency Department

Overview Nursing Assistants serve as part of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in caring for patients/residents across preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice settings. Assignments often involve complex nursing needs varying from predictable to unpredictable. Basic Requirements Citizenship Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to the applicable regulations. Experience or Education or Training Six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant. One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of less than one year; this may meet the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency Proficient in spoken and written English per VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions Employees appointed on a temporary basis before the effective date may not have their temporary appointment extended or reappointed until they fully meet basic requirements. Grandfathered employees who leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet full VA qualification standards upon re-entry. NOTE Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005. Grade Determinations In addition to basic requirements, the following criteria determine candidate grade. GS-03 NA (Entry Level) No experience or education beyond basic requirements. Assigned as entry level and closely supervised.

GS-04 NA

Experience: One year of specialized experience as an NA or experience in another medical field requiring knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills for basic and intermediate treatments; or Education: Two years above high school with nursing-related courses, plus demonstration of the following KSAs: Provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to nurse care plans and patient recovery. Observe patients/residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations to supervisor promptly. Use equipment and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring, specimen collection, etc. Communicate effectively with patients/residents, families, and other health professionals. Assigned as intermediate or developmental level, closely supervised; assist higher graded NAs and licensed nursing staff in various care settings; refer issues to supervisors. GS-05 NA (Full Performance Level) Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS-4 level, demonstrating professional KSAs; or Education: Four-year degree above high school with 24 semester hours related to health care or possession of a bachelor’s degree, plus demonstration of KSAs: Assist in full range of nursing care for patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems under RN or LPN/LVN direction. Communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel; assist as preceptor to new NAs. Recognize and respond to emergent care situations and intervene while awaiting assistance, e.g., basic life support, bleeding control, behavior crisis. Full performance level; assists licensed nursing staff in various settings; assumes peer education/mentorship role. Preferred Experience Direct patient care – feeding, bathing, walking, transfers, patient safety (minimum 6 months experience) EMR patient care documentation experience Medical terminology Reference For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); pulling hand over hand (8-12 hours); reaching above shoulder; walking (8-12 hours); standing (8-12 hours); kneeling (8-12 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); may be exposed to infected or combative patients. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The applicant may be selected for a grade in the range of 03 to 05. #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair