Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Baltimore VA Medical Center seeks a Nursing Assistant to join the Nursing Services team within the VA Maryland Health Care System. This entry-to-full performance role supports inpatient and outpatient care for Veterans and provides supervised hands-on patient care.

Candidates must meet VA basic requirements, with options for different education/experience paths. This is a full-time on-site position with the potential for career progression in nursing care.

Qualifications

• Basic requirements include citizenship and applicable experience or education for Nursing Assistant (NA) positions.
• Proficiency in English is required for NA roles per VA guidelines.
• Grandfathering provisions apply to current VHA employees; full qualification standards apply to re-entry.

Responsibilities

• Learn to utilize glucose monitoring and basic nursing tasks.
• Assist in patient care under supervision, including observation and documentation.
• Participate in shift reports and contribute to nursing care plans.
• Maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and report hazards.
• Perform duties in line with the full-performance GS-5 expectations when applicable.

Education

2+ years education related to nursing care

Bachelor's degree in health care or related field

Job description

Summary

The Baltimore VA Medical Center is a major VA hospital providing comprehensive inpatient - outpatient - and primary care services to Veterans in Maryland and beyond. The Nursing Assistant position is located at The Veterans Health Administration - Baltimore VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) in Nursing Services.

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)
• 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 3 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
• (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-entry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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
• 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 (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
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• 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 - 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 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: Three years recent experience in a acute care setting or outpatient clinic setting
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05
• Physical Requirements: USE THIS STATEMENT FOR YOUR PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant varies at each level are listed but not limited below: Nursing Assistant GS-3 (Individuals assigned as GS-3 NA's are considered to be at the entry and are monitored and closely supervised.) Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Nursing Assistant GS-4 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
• Nursing Assistant GS-5 (The GS-5 nursing assistant is the full performance level.) Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's - Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff Provides direct care for complex veterans Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Work Schedule: Night shift Monday- Sunday (19:30-08:00) 07:30pm-08:00am eastern standard time Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:FS 512-25590-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized