Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Aspinwall (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking Nursing Assistants for the Community Living Center at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center (HJ Heinz campus).

The position covers GS-3 to GS-5 levels, with requirements including citizenship, education or training in nursing care, and English proficiency. Qualified applicants will be considered for a role that involves direct patient care, communication with the care team, and use of basic clinical equipment.

Qualifications

• Education or training requirements vary; may include 2 years of college courses related to nursing care or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One year above high school with related courses or a specialized nursing assistant program can meet requirements.
• English proficiency is required for nursing assistants.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient/resident care under supervision of a RN/LPN.
• Observe patients and report deviations to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Use basic diagnostic and treatment equipment (e.g., glucose monitor, bladder scan) as trained.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• May serve as a preceptor to new nursing assistants.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Observation

Nursing support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Coursework related to nursing care/health care

Nursing aide/assistant training

Tools

Medical equipment handling

Job description

Nursing Assistant job opportunities within the Community Living Center (CLC) at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center (HJ Heinz campus).

Note: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Veterans' Preference: Since the position is listed as a staffing shortage, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.

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.
• Education or Training: Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a nursing assistant. OR One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. OR Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• English Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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 Determination:

GS-3

• Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

• 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).

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

• 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 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: 1 year long term care experience.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05.

Physical Requirements:

The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.