Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is hiring Nursing Assistants for the Mental Health Nursing unit. Positions may be located in 39-Gero or 39-1 West and could fill other inpatient mental health openings. Applicants may be tentatively selected pending required education/certification.

GS-3 to GS-5 levels require basic requirements plus KSAs and nursing care competencies. Full details and qualification standards are provided by VA.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in nursing care or health care.
• Education above high school with NA-related courses is acceptable.
• Completion of occupation-related training shorter than one year may apply.
• Demonstrated KSAs required for nursing assistant roles.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to care plans.
• Observe patients' status and report deviations to supervisor promptly.
• Use equipment and supplies for basic treatments and assessments.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and health staff.

Skills

English language proficiency

Education

Two years of college coursework related to nursing/health care

One year of education above high school with NA-related courses

Completion of an intensive, occupation-related training program for NA

Four-year degree with 24 semester hours in health care (GS-5)

Job description

The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for Nursing Assistants to provide care to our Veterans within Mental Health Nursing. This position will be located in 39-Gero or 39-1 West (acute), however this announcement could be used to fill other open positions within Inpatient Mental Health.

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

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 Entry Level

Experience and Education

None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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

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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3. 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.
4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 Nursing Assistant 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 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 Vocational 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 NAs by assisting with the 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

Inpatient Mental Health, Behavioral Health, Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Dementia

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 in the range of GS 3 to GS 5.