Nursing Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Chillicothe (OH); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to fill multiple Nursing Assistant positions at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. Applicants will provide vital care and support to veterans, assisting with their daily needs while collaborating with the healthcare team to enhance patient well-being. The role involves meeting specific education and physical requirements and offers a competitive salary.

Qualifications

• Experience or education must relate to nursing assistant duties.
• Ability to handle physical requirements of the job.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the full range of nursing care.
• Observe patients’ emotional and physical status.
• Communicate effectively with patients and healthcare teams.

Skills

Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to observe and report

Knowledge of patient care

Education

One year of education above high school

Completion of a specialized training program

Job description

This announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies in the CLC nursing areas of Freedom Harbor - Long Stay Mental Health, Hopewell House - Long Stay Dementia, Sherman Terrace - Long/Short Stay Rehab, and Veterans Homeland - Long Stay Hospice in the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. Please indicate the areas in which you are interested when you apply. Note: Selected location is not guaranteed but will be considered. If multiple locations are selected, it will be determined by the service.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf

Duties include but are not limited to: VA Nursing Practice provides excellence in Veteran healthcare across a continuum of services and continuously improves nursing care for our nation's heroes in collaboration with our nursing colleagues.

Requirements

Qualifications

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 may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• 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, March 12, 2015, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met.

For the GS-03: None beyond the Basic Requirements.

For the GS-04: 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 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

• 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.

For the GS-05: 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 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

• 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.

Preferred Experience: Long Term Care and Hospice

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: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative.

Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.