Nursing Assistant

Summary The incumbent will serve as a Nursing Assistant within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) at the Huntington - West Virginia VA Medical Center - assigned to 4 South. The Nursing Assistant plays a critical role in supporting patient care delivery and ensuring the safety - comfort - and well-being of Veterans receiving care on the unit. The Nursing Assistant will be expected to perform all other duties as assigned. 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 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 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. 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) 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 - 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 FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22 - 2024 2 (2) If an employee that 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 re-entry to the occupation 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 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates (1) GS-3 NA (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 (2) GS-4 NA (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 - 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 3 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 (3) GS-5 NA (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 Preferred Experience: None Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is 5 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service. Duties The duties and responsibilities are listed below - but not limited Additionally - the Nursing Assistant will be expected to carry out all other duties as assigned - supporting the facility's commitment to excellence in service 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 Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are at the entry grade and are closely monitored and supervised The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other healthcare professionals 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 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 significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision - are learning to perform complex nursing skills - and will refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals 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 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 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 The NA at this level also assumes peer education/mentorship 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 Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm with weekends off Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr