Nursing Assistant (Community Center 2)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville is seeking a Nursing Assistant to provide direct patient care in a Community Living Center rehabilitation unit.

The NA works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse to ensure care standards are met and supports families and staff as needed.

Qualifications

• Provide a range of patient/resident care under supervision of a RN/LPN.
• Observe and report patient changes to supervisor promptly.
• Operate basic clinical equipment and supplies as directed.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to patients in a rehabilitation setting.
• Support discharge planning and care coordination under nursing supervision.
• Communicate with patients, families, and health professionals to ensure safe care.

Skills

Provide patient care

Observe patient status

Use equipment

Communication with health staff

Education

Two years of education beyond high school in nursing care/health care

Bachelor's degree with related health courses

Job description

The Charles George VAMC is looking to fill a Nursing Assistant position within Community Living Center (CLC-2, short term rehab). The Nursing Assistant provides direct care to patients, families, and staff on a regular basis in a rehabilitation care setting. The Nursing Assistant practices under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, who is accountable for assuring adherence to standards of care. 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.

Experience or Education or Training.

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

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. 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-03 (Entry Level)

• Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04

• 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

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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-05 (Full Performance 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. 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

• Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Ability to work in a veteran centered, rehabilitation-focused environment
• Certification as a Nursing Assistant
• Short Term Rehab Experience
• Long Term Care experience
• Dementia Care experience
• Basic Cardiac Life (BLS) certification

Reference:

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

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

Physical Requirements:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.