Nursing Assistant

The VAMC in Northport NY is seeking an experienced Nursing Assistant to function as part of the Mental Health team. The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the team focusing on performing activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The Nursing Assistant successfully completes duties at the grade, and in this position performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or Community Living Center (CLC), acute, sub-acute. Additional duties include performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, and simple dressing changes. Learning to be proficient utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision. Monitoring patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, 15- minute checks, and hourly rounding. Monitoring Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Utilizing principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reporting patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures. Sets up patient care related equipment, such as hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment. Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care providers. Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment. Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Working as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury. Beginning to orient lower-level nursing assistance. Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines. Actively participates in annual competency assessment and validation. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-3 is the entry level nursing position; the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing assistant skills to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-4 is the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The NA at this grade level is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-5 is the full performance level for this occupation. The NA 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 preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. 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 an NA may also meet in 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 GS-3 Nursing Assistant. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant. 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 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Ability to observe patients/residents' or residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 Nursing Assistant. 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; AND Demonstrated 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 Psych experience preferred. Reference For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. #J-18808-Ljbffr US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair