Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center 213-2

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans Administration (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is seeking a Nursing Assistant for the night shift at the West Los Angeles Community Living Center 213-2. The NA will work with licensed nursing staff to provide comprehensive care to Veterans with complex healthcare needs, including preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice services.

Applicants pending required education or licensure may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.

Qualifications

• Six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a Nursing Assistant; OR
• One (1) year of education above high school that includes coursework related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR
• Completion of an intensive, specialized nursing assistant training program of less than one year.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)

Responsibilities

• Provide preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care to Veterans with complex and varying healthcare needs.
• Work alongside licensed nursing staff on the night shift at the West Los Angeles Community Living Center 213-2.

Education

One year of education above high school that includes coursework related to Nursing Assistant

Two years above high school with courses related to nursing care or health care (as in GS-4 education clause)

Job description

Join the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and serve those who served! As a Nursing Assistant on the night shift at our West Los Angeles Community Living Center 213-2, you'll work alongside licensed nursing staff to provide preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care to Veterans with complex and varying healthcare needs.

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

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• Experience or Education or Training:
• Experience: Six (6) months of general experience that demonstrates the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the duties of a Nursing Assistant; OR
• Education: One (1) year of education above high school that includes coursework related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR
• Training: Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course or program of study of less than one (1) year as a Nursing Assistant may also satisfy the experience requirements for the GS-3 grade level.
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)

Grade Determinations:

• GS-3 (Entry Level). There is no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-4 Experience/Education:
  • 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 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-5 Experience/Education: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.
  • 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). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Nursing Assistants 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.

Grandfathering Provisions.

1. 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.
2. 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 reentry to the occupation.

Preferred Experience:

• One (1) or more years of Nursing Assistant experience in a Community Living Center, skilled nursing facility, long-term care, or other residential nursing care setting
• Experience providing direct nursing care to geriatric patients/residents with multiple chronic conditions and complex care needs.

References:

VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements:

Work requires walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and at times carrying heavy loads. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.