Nursing Assistant

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nursing Assistant to support veteran care in Milwaukee. You will assist in basic nursing tasks, monitor patient conditions, and collaborate with a care team to implement the nurse care plan.

The role requires basic English proficiency and U.S. citizenship, with education or experience as described in the Qualifications sections. On-site work with potential for career progression GS-3 to GS-5.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education related to nursing care.
• Full year of education above high school with nursing-related courses.
• Transcript or certification required for qualification.
• Knowledge of nursing care and patient safety basics.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to nurse care plans.
• Observe patients and report changes to supervisor promptly.
• Use basic diagnostic and treatment equipment correctly.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.

Skills

Nursing care

Patient communication

Observation of patient status

Medical equipment use

Education

Six months general experience

Two years college with nursing-related courses

Specialized training <1 year (NA)

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;

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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED);

AND In addition, the candidate 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 resident's 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-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;

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 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/.

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).

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 GS-5.

Physical Requirements:

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