CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs Nursing Assistant GS-5 in Acute Care works as a team member, advancing beyond GS-4 to handle more complex procedures. The role emphasizes patient care under supervision and collaboration with the health care team.

Applicants may be referred and tentatively selected if education or licensure is not yet complete, with final appointment upon meeting all requirements. Basic criteria and KSAs are detailed in the VA standards.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience.
• One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation.
• Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study less than one year as a NA may meet the experience for GS-3.
• May qualify under Grandfathering Provision for VA employees in this occupation.

Responsibilities

• Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents under RN/LPN supervision.
• Ability to communicate orally with patients, families and the interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient care situations.

Job description

The Nursing Assistant GS-5 assigned to Acute Care functions as a member of the health care team. In addition to demonstrated knowledge, skill and ability at the GS-4 Nursing Assistant level, the Nursing Assistant GS-5 develops increased skills and acquires knowledge of more extensive, complex procedures.

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.
  • 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 a NA may also meeting 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

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. 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 Vocation 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 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

• Venipuncture experience
• One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field (health technician, hospital corpsman)
• Observing, acting and/or reporting activities of the well and acutely ill patient that may require immediate attention in an inpatient ward or outpatient clinic
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant is preferred

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-5.

Physical Requirements

• Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over)
• Straight Pulling (6 hours)
• Pushing (6-10 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (6-10 hours)
• Standing (6-10 hours)
• Kneeling (1 hour)
• Repeated bending (4 hours)
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of color; Hearing (aid permitted)