Nursing Assistant - Intermittent

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Martinsburg (WV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nursing Assistant - Sitter / Transporter position at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is a civilian role within the VA medical system. The NA will assist licensed nursing staff in care across preventive, acute, sub-acute, maintenance and hospice services, including sitter/1:1 observation and patient transport.

Applicants may be tentatively selected while meeting qualification requirements. The full performance level is GS-05 with a range GS-03 to GS-05 depending on experience and

Qualifications

• US citizenship required; non-citizens only if VA cannot recruit citizens.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing as per VA standards.
• Six months general experience or one year of education related to NA; or a short occupation-related program.
• GS-3: none beyond basic requirements.
• GS-4: one year of specialized NA experience or related medical field.
• GS-5: one year of progressive experience and KSAs.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in patient care across care settings.
• Observe patients, report deviations or problems to supervisor promptly.
• Use equipment and supplies for basic/nursing procedures (glucose monitoring, bladder scans, etc.).
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and health professionals.

Job description

Nursing Assistant - Sitter / Transporter

functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. 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.

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.
• 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.
• Experience or Education or Training.
  1. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,
  2. One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
  3. 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 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 listed below;

Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience:

• One or more years of Nursing Assistant or Patient Tech care experience
• Experience as a Sitter/1:1 Observation, preferred
• Long Term Care experience and/or dementia 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-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements:

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