Nursing Assistant

Summary

The VA San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) is a Level 1a major interdisciplinary teaching healthcare system, offering a variety of Inpatient and Outpatient services to Veterans at the medical center in La Jolla and at the six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) located in Chula Vista, Escondido, Imperial Valley, Kearny Mesa, Oceanside, Sorrento Valley, and Rio Clinic. The VASDHS provides high quality care with advanced technologies and a compassionate service to Veterans.

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Duties

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The incumbent performs duties as follows :

- Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment.

- Identifies potential and actual emergencies and takes appropriate actions.

- Maintains confidentiality of patient information.

- Sets-up, uses, reprocesses, and maintains all unit/department-specific equipment that is designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients.

- Obtains and records vital signs, pulse, temperature, respirations, blood pressure, and pain level.

- Measures and records height and weight of patients.

- Assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g., hygiene, eating, dressing and ambulation) including oral/denture care, bed baths/shower, indwelling catheter care, perineal care, foot care, and changing bed linens.

- Positions, sets-up, and assists patients with meals; ensures meal trays are removed.

- Assists with patient transfers in and out of bed.

- Assists patients to and from toilet; assists patients with any toileting needs; and keeps incontinent patients clean. - Assists with patient admissions ensuring personal belongings are inventoried and documented.

- Assists with patient discharges or transfers including stripping beds, ensuring patients have their belongings; and sweeps medication cabinets in patient rooms. - Answers call lights and unit phones as needed.

- Performs glucose checks on patients as ordered.

- Turns and repositions patients at risk for skin breakdown.

- Performs range of motion exercises for patients.

- Reinforces non-sterile dressings.

- Applies anti-embolic hose/equipment (i.e., Ted hose, sequential compression devices).

- Applies adaptive devices and non-behavioral restraints as ordered.

- Functions as Continuous Observation Attendant (COA) within an arm's length of the patient.

- Relieves COAs as needed for breaks and meals.

- Wipes down all patients' bedside tables and side rails once a shift.

- Ensures patients' bedside areas are neat and tidy.

- Ensures patients have an adequate supply of water, cups, and straws at their bedside.

- Assists in recording and charting patient input and output (l&O).

- Conducts hourly rounds on patients to ensure their needs are being met.

- Ensures safety precautions are in place.

- Empties indwelling catheter bags, urinals, surgical drains, and records output amounts.

- Assists with post-mortem care. Transports deceased bodies to morgue. - Stocks supplies in patient care areas to ensure there are adequate supplies and equipment to meet patient care needs.

- Cleans reusable medical equipment (RME) on unit as needed.

- Documents vital signs in the electronic health record (EHR).

- Documents on the restraint and seclusion flow sheet as needed.

- Documents in nursing progress note care provided.

- Identifies potential and actual emergencies and takes appropriate actions.

- Implements hospital safety guidelines and maintains a safe environment for patients and staff.

- Reports all accidents to supervisor and notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions.

- Initiates CPR as appropriate.

- Performs bladder scan and reports findings to RN.

- Places patients on cardiac monitors as needed.

- Applies ice packs with RN delegation as needed.

- Performs 12-lead EKGs.

- Selects and applies condom catheters as needed.

- Transports patients from one unit/area to another or to clinic appointments.

- Transports specimens to lab.

- Feeds patients on Aspiration Precautions.

- Analyzes, measures, and interprets cardiac rhythms in central telemetry station and/or provides relief to staff stationed in central telemetry.

- Takes regular inventory of emergency/critical supplies.

- Places orders for needed supplies.

- Performs other duties, as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule : Full Time

Tour Information: 0700-1930; 1100-2330; 1900-0730

Compressed/Flexible : Not Authorized

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:
• English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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,](2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; 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 meeting full the experience requirements forGS-3.

Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of May 22,2024, 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:

1. 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.
2. 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 reentry to the occupation.

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 (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 Experience/Education:
  • 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, 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 ;
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
    2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
    3. 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.
    4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

• GS-5 Experience Full Performance Level): This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants 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. Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.
  • 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 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 Vocational 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 the 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:

• 2-3 years working in the last 5 years of Nursing Assistant experience;
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection;
• Knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments;
• Active BLS

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit 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: The NA must be able to lift (30 lbs or more); twisting and /or bending, standing and/or walking almost constantly during the course of the day to provide patient care.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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