Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Iron Mountain (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center (OGJVAMC) seeks a Nursing Assistant to perform a broad scope of patient care, treatment and charting on rehab and long-term care wards.

The role emphasizes dignity, patient respect and teamwork with healthcare staff. Requirements include US citizenship, English proficiency, and progression through GS-3 to GS-5 grade levels with experience/education in nursing-related fields.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education related to nursing care.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.
• 2 years of higher education with nursing-related courses.
• Completion of a program related to nursing care may meet experience.
• Ability to follow nurse care plans and document care.

Responsibilities

• Provide a wide range of patient personal care and charting.
• Observe patient status and refer deviations promptly.
• Use equipment and supplies for basic treatments and assessments.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.

Skills

Communication

Observation

Patient care

Emergency response

Therapeutic communication

Education

Six months general experience

Two years higher education related to nursing

Bachelor-level health care education (4-year)

Job description

The incumbent of this position serves as a Nursing Assistant with the Oscar G. Johnson, VAMC (OGJVAMC), Community Living Center (CLC). The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of patient personal care, treatment, and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis on a rehabilitation, short-term and long-term care ward. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to promote a sense of worth and dignity for the individual.

Basic Requirements

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Experience, 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.

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

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING GRADE REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GS-3 Grade Requirements

Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Grade Requirements

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, 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, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

GS-5 Grade Requirements

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,

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 following 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.

Preferred Experience

1-2 years of nursing assistant experience perferred.

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.