Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration within the Department of Veterans Affairs in Battle Creek, Michigan, is seeking a Nursing Assistant to join the Acute Hospital Clinical Service. This temporary, not-to-exceed 1-year intermittent position supports a care team delivering preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care to Veterans.

The NA will work with licensed staff, perform basic nursing tasks, document care, monitor patients, and help ensure a high standard of infection

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible per VA policy
• Six months of general experience or education above high school in nursing care
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing as per VA standards
• Demonstrated KSAs: patient care, observation, communication, and teamwork
• Ability to use basic nursing equipment and supplies
• Intermittent employment: not to exceed 1 year, as described in the assignment

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under supervision of licensed nursing staff
• Document care, observations, and patient responses in appropriate tools/forms
• Monitor patient intake and output and report changes promptly
• Assist with clinical procedures within scope and ensure infection control practices
• Serve as a mentor/preceptor to colleagues and support patient safety

Skills

Communication skills

Observation skills

Patient care

Team collaboration

Education

General education: high school diploma or equivalent

Additional nursing-related education ( coursework )

Six months of general experience

Job description

Summary

This Nursing Assistant (NA) will work in the Acute Hospital Clinical Service. The NA will function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of Veterans receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. This is a temporary - not-to-exceed 1 year - intermittent position.

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 - 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
• 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 the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 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
• 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: 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
• 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive/Handbook 5019

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties at the full performance level include - but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to complete glucose readings
• Provides direct patient care for Veterans
• Documents care given - observations - and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel
• Monitor and document patient intake and output reports
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice
• Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique
• Appropriately initiates basic life support
• Serves as a mentor and preceptor to other Nursing Assistants Work Schedule: Intermittent (based on the needs of the service)
• 1900-0730 Functional Statement #: 93523A - 93524A - 93525A