Nursing Assistant - Short Stay Unit

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; South Lebanon Township (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs at Lebanon VA Medical Center is seeking a Nursing Assistant at GS-3 to GS-5. Applicants must meet basic requirements and demonstrate KSAs in nursing care, communication, and patient observation, with opportunities for advancement.

Position emphasizes providing patient care under supervision, adhering to safety protocols, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced medical setting.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education above high school with nursing-related courses.
• Ability to assist in full range of nursing care under RN supervision.
• Demonstrated KSAs: communication, observing patient status, basic life support.

Responsibilities

• Provide a full range of patient/resident care under supervision of a RN/LVN/LPN.
• Observe patients and report deviations to supervisor promptly.
• Properly use basic diagnostic and patient-care equipment.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and health professionals.

Skills

Nursing care

Communication

Observation

Patient safety

Team collaboration

Education

Two years of higher education with nursing-related courses

Nursing-related training program

Job description

This position is located at Lebanon VA Medical center in the Nursing, Geriatric and Extended Care service line.

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, 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:

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 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.

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:

1 year of acute care and some LTC 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-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:

This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, lifting 45 pounds or more, reaching, stretching, and similar activities supporting various weights. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must complete annual employee health requirements as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.