Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Forest Park (DE); On-site; USD 31,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nursing Assistant at the GS-5 level. The role supports patient care under supervision in outpatient/home/community settings, joining a care team of licensed professionals.

Applicants must meet education/experience requirements and demonstrate KSAs in nursing care, communication, and patient safety. The vacancy emphasizes English proficiency and adherence to VA standards.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or one year education above high school with health care courses.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related training course of study of less than one year may also meet the experience requirements.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing as per VA Handbook 5005.

Education

Bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours healthcare

Job description

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.
• 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

GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)

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 (Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs 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.). 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 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 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.

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 GS-5.

Physical Requirements

See VA HANDBOOK 5019