Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nursing Assistant for the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Acute Care. The role requires basic requirements including citizenship, a mix of experience/education, and English proficiency.

Grade levels GS-3 to GS-5 are described with associated KSAs and education pathways. Qualifications include possible experience, education, or completion of relevant training, plus the ability to assist with nursing care plans, observe patient status, and

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience, or
• One year of education above high school with nursing-related courses, or
• Completion of an intensive occupation-related training course as Nursing Assistant (less than one year)

Responsibilities

• Ability to provide range of patient care and contribute to nurse care plans.
• Ability to observe patient status and refer deviations to supervisor.
• Ability to use basic nursing equipment and supplies.

Skills

Nursing care

Communication

Observation of patient status

Safety procedures

Education

Two years above high school in related field

Bachelor's degree or education leading to Health Care field (for GS-5)

Job description

This Nursing Assistant position is located within Acute Care at the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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:
  • Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant; OR,
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR,
  • Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study [or program] of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-3

Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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

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 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.

• 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.

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.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The Nursing Assistant must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.