Nursing Assistant (Float Pool-Intermittent)

Veterans Health Administration; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration's VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is seeking skilled Nursing Assistants for our Float Pool, serving Medical-Surgical, Mental Health, and Geriatric/Rehabilitative units. Float NAs rotate to areas based on experience to support patient care.

Applicants with pending education or licensure may be referred and tentatively selected, but hires require completion of all requirements. GS-3 to GS-5 level opportunities.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: United States
• Education: one year above high school with nursing-related courses; or 2 years above high school in related field
• English proficiency for direct patient-care positions

Responsibilities

• Float Pool NAs assist in Medical-Surgical, Mental Health, and Geriatric/Rehabilitative Care areas.
• Floats to units based on experience to support patient care and care team
• Works under supervision of licensed staff and communicates needs to supervisors

Education

One year above high school related to nursing

Two years above high school in related field

Job description

The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System is seeking highly skilled and experienced Nursing Assistants for our Float Pool. Our Float Pool serves as a resource pool for the entire facility to provide staffing needs to areas including Medical-Surgical, Mental Health, and Geriatric and Rehabilitative Care services. Float Pool NAs will float to areas in the hospital where they have the experience.

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. Education or Training. The candidate must have one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. 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 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).

Grandfathering Provisions.

All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12, 2015 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 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 reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above.

GS-4 Experience/Education: In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded Nursing Assistants, or other healthcare professionals. 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 (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 effective with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 Experience: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants at this 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 ...