Nursing Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Atlanta, GA seeks a Nursing Assistant GS-5 to join the Acute Care team. The role builds on GS-4 skills, expanding knowledge and taking on more complex procedures under RN/LPN supervision.

Responsibilities include assisting with a full range of nursing care, documenting patient changes, and helping maintain sterile environments. Strong communication and emergent-care abilities are essential.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required.
• Six months of general experience or equivalent education.
• Grade GS-5 requires one year of progressively responsible assignments at GS-4 level and related KSAs.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with nurses, patients, families and the interdisciplinary team.
• Collect specimens (e.g., clean catch, sputum, urine, wound dressing) and explain procedures to patients/families.
• Observe, record and report changes in patients' physical and emotional conditions for the care plan.
• Operate commonly used treatment equipment and maintain sterile technique.
• Follow isolation protocols and assist with procedures such as urinary catheter insertion.

Skills

Nursing care

Oral communication

Emergency response

Mentoring

Education

One year education above high school with NA-related courses

Bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in health care

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• 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 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 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
• References: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration - VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46.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: 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)

Duties

• Sufficient knowledge of human structure - function - illnesses and disease entities to communicate effectively with nurses - patients physicians and families
• Knowledge - training skill sufficient to collect a variety of specimens such as clean catch and catheterized urine - sputum - wound dressing and explain the procedure and reason for it to patient/family
• Knowledge - training and skill sufficient to observe
• record and accurately report physical and emotional conditions and changes in the patients condition for consideration in the plan of care
• Knowledge - training skill sufficient to operate commonly used equipment involved in treatment modalities
• Knowledge - training & skill sufficient to follow isolation protocol and assist a physician or nurse in maintaining a sterile field in such procedures as minor surgery - insertion of urinary catheter etc
• Knowledge of anatomy - training & skill sufficient to perform venipunctures for laboratory specimens to place EKG and monitoring leads accurately - to use good body mechanics while providing care and to remove clothing and move patient without causing further injury or discomfort
• Knowledge and skills of standardized psychiatric care sufficient to effectively initiate the management of hostile - aggressive patients - asking for assistant appropriately
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 8:00pm - Schedules are submit to change based on agency needs
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized