Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Lyons (NJ); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lyons VA Medical Center's Geriatrics and Extended Care unit seeks an experienced Nursing Assistant (NA) to join the nursing care team in outpatient, home, or community living settings. You will assist licensed staff with patient care, monitor patient status, and use essential equipment as trained.

Applicants may qualify via basic requirements or educational pathways; progression to GS-5 requires demonstrated nursing KSAs and experience.

Qualifications

• KSAs required for Nursing Assistant include patient care provision, observation of status, use of basic equipment, and communication with patients and staff.
• Candidates may qualify via education paths (high school with health courses or college credits in health care).
• Demonstrated ability to assist nursing staff and to precept new NAs is valued.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nurses in patient care and care planning.
• Observe and report patient status to supervisors.
• Operate basic equipment and perform simple procedures as trained.
• The NA communicates with patients, families, and the health team.

Skills

Patient care

Observation skills

Equipment use

Communication

Nursing care

Precepting

Emergent care

Education

High school + health-related courses

4-year college with health care courses

Job description

The Geriatrics and Extended Care unit at the Lyons VA Medical Center is looking for an experienced Nursing Assistant (NA). The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists other team members including licensed nursing staff, in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness.

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.
• Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an 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.

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-3 Nursing Assistant:

Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above

GS-4 Nursing assistant:

Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 Nursing Assistant:

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 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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:

One to two years long-term care experience

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:

See VA Handbook 5019.