Nursing Assistant

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fresno (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Nursing Assistant to support the PACU unit at VA Central California Health Care System in Fresno, CA.

This entry-level role involves obtaining vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living, and supporting patient care under RN supervision. The position emphasizes compassionate care for Veterans, proper infection control, and teamwork within the nursing staff.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and document vital signs and notify RN when out of range.
• Provide basic nursing care: bathing, grooming, feeding, mobility assistance.
• Observe and document patient status; communicate with team.
• Proficiency in English for spoken and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Meet needs of customers while supporting the medical center and service missions.
• Obtain and document vital signs (temp, pulse, respirations, BP, pain level).
• Bathe, groom, toileting, dressing, and assist with mobility.
• Assist with feeding and hydration; follow dietary guidelines and aspiration precautions.
• Perform oral care, suctioning, and maintain PPE as required.
• Observe urine color/odor; document input/output.

Skills

Vital signs

Patient care

Communication

Observation

Education

Two years above high school with nursing-related courses

Bachelor's degree in health care or related field

NA certification course completion

Job description

Summary

The Nursing Assistant supports the Nursing - PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care) unit at the VA Central California Health Care System - located in Fresno - CA. Performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality healthcare - positive and outstanding customer service - and maintenance of an environment committed to serving our Veterans.

Qualifications

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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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 above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of 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
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements
• Nursing Assistants at this grade are considered entry-level and are closely supervised
• GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two (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 - in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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 residents' 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-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment
• Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home - or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care
• OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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 you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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-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: The physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping.

Duties

• The Nursing Assistant will meet the needs of customers while supporting the medical center and service missions
• Major duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Obtaining and documenting vital signs - including temperature - pulse - respirations - and blood pressure and pain level - and notifying the Registered Nurse (RN) when these values are outside of established parameters
• Bathing - grooming - toileting - dressing and undressing
• Feeding and assisting with fluid and nutritional intake - including following dietary - fluid guidelines - and aspiration precautions
• Perform oral care and suctioning (with Yankauer only)
• Mobility assistance includes ambulation - transfers - positioning - range of motion - and positioning precautions
• Lifts - moves - and transports clients - using proper body mechanics or lifting devices
• Perform all job responsibilities in accordance with prescribed safety and infection control policy/procedure including proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper disposal of soiled materials
• Observe urine color - odor - and document input and output
• Observe and document bowel movements - assist with bowel care (positioning in bed - commode - toilet - assist as needed with perineal hygiene)
• Applying external catheters - maintaining - and cleaning urinary drainage bags
• Applying prescribed orthotics - prosthetics - and other mobility devices and observing for skin breakdown
• Notifying registered nurses (RN) of any changes in clinical or functional status
• Work Schedule: 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08379F -08380F -08381F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized