Nursing Assistant-SCI & Rehab

Summary

The Nursing Assistant is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The Nursing Assistant is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded Nursing Assistant - 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.

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
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Physical Requirements
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
• Pushing (up to 8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 8 hours)
• standing (up to 8 hours)
• kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• both legs required
• hearing (aid permitted)
• English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j
• 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field - 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 - 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
• In addition to the above - applicant must demonstrate the following
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents
• Ability to observe patients/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 patient / residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 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 assignments -OR- 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
• In addition the above - applicant must demonstrate the following
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 nursing assistants 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
• Preferred Experience: At least one (1) year of SCI and Rehab or Rehabilitation settings Experience assisting patients with mobility - transfers - personal care and other activities of daily living Skilled in reading and taking vitals 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: To perform in a fully successful manner - the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting - standing - bending - transferring - stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• Utilizes Safe Patient handling equipment
• The incumbent will be exposed to fluoroscopy and must be able to wear lead protective equipment for extended periods of time
• A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy
• There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant is considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised
• The Nursing Assistant is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded Nursing Assistant - 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
• The duties include but are not limited to: 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 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
• Becoming proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills
• Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording
• Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports - and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment
• Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident needs for: a
• Personal Hygiene b
• Physical Comfort c
• Activity - Exercise
• Rest d
• Nutrition e
• Elimination f
• Prevention of Skin Breakdown g
• Rehabilitative Aspects of Care
• Work Schedule: Nights Pay Scale: GS 3 - 001M - GS 4-5 V1MG Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #'s - 50822-F 50823-F - 50824-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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.