Nursing Assistant

Summary

This intermittent position is located at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. The Nursing Assistant at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients receiving outpatient - inpatient - or emergency care who are in acute - sub-acute - chronic - or end of life states of illness.

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: Six (6) months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
• OR One (1) year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• OR Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one (1) year as a Nursing Assistant
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Nursing Assistant GS-03: (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Individuals assigned as GS-03 are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-04: Experience
• One (1) year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 two (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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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 resident's 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-05 Experience
• One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• OR Education
• Successful completion of a four (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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of hospital inpatient and/or emergency department experience
• Skilled in conducting EKGs and performing phlebotomy
• Competent in documenting patient care
• Experience in precepting and training staff
• Experience in a Hospital Float Pool is highly desirable
• 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.

Duties

• VA offers a Comprehensive Total Rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but are not limited to: Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other NA's and orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
• Makes observations and accurately documents care and patient response to treatment - and appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in patient condition
• The NA performs delegated procedures and treatments - including but not limited to venipuncture - EKG - bladder scan - accurate I&O documentation - wound care - ortho splinting - doppler - visual acuity - vital signs - blood glucose monitoring - lab specimen collection - personal/oral hygiene - 1:1 observation - and other procedures requested within the NA scope of practice
• Prepares rooms for use and rooms patients in a timely and efficient manner to enhance patient access through efficient hospital through-put
• Maintains mandated facility and unit specific certifications and education
• Adheres to KCVA Medical Center policies and procedures
• Promptly recognizes urgent or emergent patient care situations and seeks assistance and effectively intervenes - i.e. - performs CPR - assists in managing aggressive behavior - follows emergency management procedures
• Follows established hospital safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe and hazard free work environment - including the use of safe patient handling equipment - adherence to safety and infection prevention guidelines - and appropriate verbal/behavioral responses to potential risk/danger to patients - visitors - employees - or property
• Serves as a resource and advocate to patients and their families by recognizing patient autonomy and incorporating patient preferences into care and providing patient education within the NA scope
• Actively participates in unit huddles and/or meetings to coordinate work and improve care delivery
• Manages assigned workload by prioritizing and organizing tasks according to unit and patient needs to complete assignments in an efficient and appropriate manner
• Demonstrates positive - effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers
• Possesses ability to proactively assist the RN or provider in addressing complex patient needs
• Recognizes and appropriately responds to breakage/malfunction or loss of equipment - safety hazards - and supply deficiencies - promptly reporting to appropriate personnel for corrective action
• Contributes to the improvement of overall care delivery and patient and/or family satisfaction levels through active participation in Shared Governance - process improvement activities - and as a skills/education champion
• Work Schedule: Intermittent- Variable Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Benefits Information - May be eligible for Health Insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) if expected to work over 130 hours per month for 90 days: Please contact View email address on careers.biausa.org if you have any benefits questions
• Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.