Nursing Assistant

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

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs in Wisconsin seeks a Nursing Assistant to provide direct patient care under supervision in Primary Care Clinics, using in-person and VA Video Connect tools to interview patients and document intake.

Applicants must meet English language, citizenship, and education/experience requirements for GS-3 to GS-5 levels, with grandfathering provisions for eligible VA employees. The role emphasizes supervised practice and VA policy adherence.

Qualifications

• Experience must demonstrate ability to acquire knowledge and skills to perform the NA work.
• Education options include 2 years above high school with healthcare-related courses, or an intensive occupation-related program.
• GS-05 requires 1 year of progressively responsible experience or a 4-year degree with relevant healthcare coursework.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under supervision in Primary Care Clinics.
• Interviews and documents intake data using face-to-face, telephonic, or VA Video Connect technologies.
• Adhere to VA policies and professional standards.

Skills

Therapeutic communication

Observation of patient status

Basic nursing care

Ability to use clinical equipment

Education

6 months general experience

2 years education above high school (nursing/healthcare)

4-year bachelor’s degree with healthcare courses (GS-05)

Job description

Provides direct patient care activities under the supervision of the RN, LPN, Providers within the Primary Care Clinics. Checks patients into the clinic appointment utilizing face-to-face, telephonic, or VA Video Connect 0JVC) technologies to interview patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per policy. 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: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Education or Training: Must possess six (6) months of general experience.
  • Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA. OR
  • One (1) 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 meeting 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).

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

GS - 03:

Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS - 04:

Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised.

• Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • 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 - 05:

This is the full performance level for NAs.

• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • 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.

NOTE:

Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005.

References:

VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2024.

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.

Physical Requirements:

Please see VA Directive and Handbook 5019.