Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Nursing Assistant to join the care team. You will assist licensed nurses in delivering preventive, acute, long-term and hospice care to patients/residents with diverse needs.

Qualifications include six months of general experience or health-related education, or completion of a NA training program. You may be considered under grandfathering provisions if applicable.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education related to NA.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related NA training course of less than one year may meet the experience requirement.
• May qualify under Grandfathering provisions for current VA employees if applicable.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents with varying care needs.
• Provide support under the direction of RNs/LPNs/LVNs and coordinate basic activities.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and other clinical staff; observe and report changes in patient condition.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Patient care

Flexibility

Education

General experience

Health-related education

NA training

Job description

The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involves more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. 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.

[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 NA; OR,
• (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
• (3) 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.

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)

Grade Determinations.

GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level) (a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR,

(b) 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

(c) Demonstrated KSAs.

• i. 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.
• ii. 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.
• iii. 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.

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 materials and may be required to wear 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.