Nursing Assistant (Intermittent)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; East Orange (NJ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Part time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an intermittent Nursing Assistant to assist Veterans with daily living activities and support care plans under a licensed health care provider. Applicants may be referred if pending education/licensure, but cannot be hired until requirements are met.

Basic requirements include U.S. citizenship; six months of general experience or equivalent education, with grandfathering provisions for VA employees as described in the Qualification Standards.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education in nursing assistant work.
• Completion of an intensive, occupation-related training course may meet requirements.
• VA qualification standards may apply for grandfathering in current VA employees.

Responsibilities

• Provide activities of daily living and contribute to the care plan under supervision.
• Observe patient status and communicate deviations to supervisor promptly.

Skills

Ability to provide range of patient/c

Observation of patient status

Proper use of basic medical equipment

Effective communication with patients'

Education

Two years of college with nursing-related courses

4-year degree with 24 health care hours

Job description

***This is an intermittent position***

The nursing assistant performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. 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 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-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)

Experience and Education.

None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Nursing Assistant

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)

• i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• iii 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.
• iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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

• i. 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.
• ii. 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.
• iii. 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

Experience in acute care, 1or more years

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.

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