Nursing Assistant

Roseburg, Oregon, Oregon, The position is responsible for the nursing assistant duties, including acute and close observation, taking and documenting vital signs, collecting lab specimens including phlebotomy, passing and picking up meal trays, tracking and documenting intake and output, assisting with transporting of patients/residents, and duties as assigned by the Supervisor or designee. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part. ). English Language Proficiency: CNAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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: 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 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, 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; 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. Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, 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/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NA, 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 NA, or other healthcare 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; AND 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs at this grade 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 care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. 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.

NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant, Qualification Standard. 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 . [“Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties: Personal Patient Care: Performs a wide variety of nursing duties aimed at increasing the safety, comfort, and spirit of the patient/resident while following established policy and procedures. Provide acute and close observation of patients/residents with medical or mental health conditions requiring such observation. This includes intervening to prevent an act of self or other harm by patients/residents, assisting with prevention and management of disruptive behavior, and reporting to the charge nurse any deviation from baseline behavior or condition. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient/resident situations including subtle changes in patients’/residents’ behavior or condition or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. The incumbent monitors intake and output, vital signs, percent ingestion of meals, and other activities of daily living and documents appropriately. Documents in the patients’/residents’ medical record a daily outline or summary of the patient’s/resident’s care using the approved format, including situation-background-actions-response (SBAR) hand-off.

He/she assists patients/residents with transfers from bed to chair, chair to bed, or bed to bedside commode using proper body mechanics and safe patient handling and mobility devices to ensure safety to self and patient/resident. He/she provides 1:1 observation for suicidal, wander risk, or high fall risk patients/residents as directed by the Supervisor or Charge Nurse. Provides and removes patient/resident meal trays as appropriate, remaining cognizant of patients/residents with special diets or who are ordered to not receive anything by mouth. He/she assists patients/residents with activities of daily living to include oral hygiene, bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, ambulating, passive or active range of motion, and other activities to promote independence and autonomy. Other examples include bowel and bladder care and positioning for comfort. Engages in meaningful activity opportunities with resident/patient on an individual or group basis. He/she performs intentional rounding according to practice, ensuring evaluation of need for Potty, Positioning, Pain, Periphery and Parting. May provide escort services to patient/resident in the absence of an escort. This includes escorting to other units, diagnostic test areas, other healthcare facilities, and to privately owned vehicles when discharged. Monitors environment of care and initiates corrective actions to prevent patient injury, reporting problem and resolution to Supervisor.

Work Schedule: 0600-1430,1400-2230,2200-0630 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Nursing Assistant Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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