Nursing Assistant-Community Living Center

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS) seeks a Nursing Assistant to support patient care under supervision in a hospital setting. Applicants may be referred before all requirements are met, with full qualification at GS-3 to GS-5 levels.

The role emphasizes general nursing care, observation, proper use of equipment, and clear communication with patients and families in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience to perform NA work.
• One year of education above high school with courses related to nursing care or health care.
• Completion of a specialized training course for NA may meet experience requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient care under supervision of a RN or LVN/LPN.
• Observe patients and report deviations to supervisor.
• Properly use basic nursing equipment and supplies.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and health professionals.

Skills

Communication skills

Compassionate care

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

CNA coursework preferred

Tools

Vital signs monitor

Bladder scanner

Glucose meter

Job description

The VA Western Colorado Health Care System (WCHCS) is a Level 3 facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric inpatients and outpatients, with a Level Ill Emergency Department, multiple VA Clinics, and a Community Living Center (CLC). There is a significant amount of psychiatric population with admissions for medical co-morbidities. Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) and telehealth nursing care are also provided. 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

Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

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 (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 (1) year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

Grandfathering Provisions

• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations

GS-3 NA (Entry Level)

• Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

GS-4 NA

• 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).

• 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 NA (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 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.

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.

Preferred Experience:

ADL support, documentation, 6 months CNA experience preferred, Long term care, hospice, rehab, skilled, respite care, home health experience preferred.

Reference:

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

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