Nursing Assistant (SCI)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa, FL seeks qualified Nursing Assistants to support spinal cord injury/pol ytrauma rehabilitation services. The role involves assisting with basic nursing tasks, patient comfort, and safety in a busy clinical setting under supervision.

Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship and English proficiency. Vacancies range from GS-3 to GS-5 with prospective growth and supervision.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only per VA policy.
• Six months of general experience or one year of education beyond high school with courses related to nursing; or completion of a qualifying training program less than one year.
• English language proficiency as per VA Handbook 5005 requirements.

Skills

English proficiency

Nursing supportive care

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years education beyond high school in health-related field

Bachelor’s degree in health-related field

Job description

The James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital and Clinics (JAHVH) offers specialized inpatient and outpatient care to its veteran population. These services are provided with the guidance and organizational structure of the Spinal Cord Injury (SCl)/Polytrauma/Rehabilitation services to include two medical/surgical units, one acute ventilation unit, two long-term care units (one with ventilation care), SCI rehabilitation units, polytrauma units, and general rehabilitation units. 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 meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• 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.

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

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

• 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, healthcare 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 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;
  • Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience

• 1 year Nursing Assistant experience

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

The nursing assistant within all services may require shift work and or rotation of tour assignments. Routinely requires regular and recurring bending, stooping, walking, stretching, lifting, standing, and repositioning and transportation of patients or similar activities. Work requires the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patients and protect self and others from injury using the knowledge gained from ongoing training. This position will require the ability to work outside daily for duration of shift. Will need to follow facility guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination of employees.