Community Living Center Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Reno, NV seeks a Nursing Assistant (NA) to support basic nursing care for patients with acute to chronic conditions. Candidates may be referred while completing requirements and will not be hired until all requirements are met.

This entry-to-mid level position emphasizes supervised hands-on training, observation of patient status, and use of standard nursing equipment. Strong English proficiency is required.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education or training as a NA.
• One year of education above high school with courses related to nursing care.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related training course for NA (<1 year).
• English proficiency in speaking and writing as per VA Handbook.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic nursing care to patients/residents under supervision.
• Observe patient status and report deviations to supervisor.
• Use basic medical equipment and perform simple procedures as trained.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

Six months general experience

One year education above high school

Intensive NA training <1 year

Two years above high school in health-related field

Four-year degree with health-related coursework

Job description

The Nursing Assistant (NA) the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing skills in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. 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.
• 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.

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. 1 (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 re-enter to the occupation.

Grade Determinations

GS-3

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(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,

GS-4(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

GS-4(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. 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.

GS-5(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,

GS-5(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

GS-5(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.

Reference: 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 in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements