Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks Nursing Assistants to perform activities of daily living and assist in care plans under supervision. You will help veterans with a range of conditions, supporting treatment, recovery, and wellness.

Responsibilities include observing patient status, documenting changes, and assisting with basic nursing procedures and equipment use. Entry-level GS-03 to GS-05, with opportunities for career progression.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education above high school related to NA occupation.
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to care plans.
• Ability to observe patients/residents' status and refer deviations to supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient/resident care under supervision to support treatment plans.
• Observe and document patient condition and report changes promptly.
• Assist with nursing procedures and use of basic equipment.

Skills

Caregiving

Observation

Medical equipment usage

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Some college courses related to nursing care

Bachelor's degree in health-related field

Tools

Bladder scan

Blood glucose monitor

Specimen collection

Job description

The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider and assumes peer education/mentorship. The Nursing Assistant (NA) will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

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.
• 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.
• 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 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 may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-03.

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).

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

Grade Determinations

GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) E xperience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

Assignments

Individuals assigned as GS-03 Nursing Assistants (NAs) are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 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, healthcare 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, In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below:

• 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.

Assignments. Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team 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 significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other health care professionals. NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other health care professionals.

GS-05 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level)

Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment such as: Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc.; Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.

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, In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below:

• 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.

Assignments. Nursing Assistants 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

Phlebotomy, 12 Lead EKG, at least 2 years hospital setting 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-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

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 material 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 NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.