Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Nursing Assistants to perform patient care duties across GS-3 to GS-5 levels. The role includes supporting nursing care plans, monitoring patient status, and assisting with basic procedures under supervision.

Required are basic education credentials and KSAs in patient care, communication, and equipment use. Walking and lifting are typical direct care tasks for this vacancy.

Qualifications

• GS-3: six months general experience or 1 year education above high school with health-related courses (transcripts/certification required).
• GS-4: one year of specialized nursing assisting experience or related health field; 2 years above high school with health care courses; KSAs include patient care, observation, equipment use and communication.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient care including basic nursing activities and support care plans under supervision.
• Observe patients and report changes to supervisor promptly.
• Assist with use of basic diagnostic and treatment equipment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and health team members.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Clinical observation

Medical terminology

Education

Two years of college education or equivalent

Bachelor's degree (GS-5) with 24 semester hours in health care

Tools

Bladder scan device

Continuous passive motion device

Glucose monitoring device

Job description

OUR MISSION:

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
• Education or Training: Must possess six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, Have completed one full year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, Have 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 a GS-3. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED)

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-3 Level:

None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Level:

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;

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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED);

AND: In addition, the candidate must 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 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;

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 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.

Reference:

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to a GS-5.

Physical Requirements:

Walking, bending, stooping, and lifting in the direct care of patients; some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

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).