Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Cheyenne (WY); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cheyenne VA Medical Center is seeking one Nursing Assistant to provide basic care for patients with acute or chronic conditions and to support nursing staff in diverse clinical settings. Responsibilities include monitoring patient needs, assisting with daily living activities, and helping maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for Veterans.

Applicants who have not yet completed all education or licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected, but final hiring depends on

Qualifications

• Ability to provide a range of patient care and contribute to the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• Ability to observe patients/residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations to supervisor promptly.
• Ability to properly use equipment and supplies in basic diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other health professionals.

Responsibilities

• Assist nursing staff in daily patient care and support activities.
• Monitor patient needs and respond to changes in condition.
• Support daily living activities for patients.
• Help maintain a safe, clean environment for Veterans and staff.

Skills

Communication

Observation

Patient care

Education

Some college coursework related to nursing care

Bachelor's degree with health care courses

Job description

The Cheyenne VA Medical Center is seeking one (1) Nursing Assistant to provide basic care to patients with acute or chronic conditions in diverse settings. Responsibilities include assisting nursing staff, monitoring patient needs, supporting daily living activities, and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for Veterans.

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 -

• Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.

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 Nursing Assistant; OR
2. One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR
3. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course 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 in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS -

GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)

• Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant

• Experience or Education:

1. 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
2. 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;

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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 residents' 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 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience or Education:

1. 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
2. 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.

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 Nursing Assistants 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 the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crises, etc.

Preferred Experience:

CNA experience.

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 extended periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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 or working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.