Nursing Assistant

Charleston, South Carolina, South Carolina, This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT & will remain open until September 30, 2023. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on a as-needed basis until all positions are filled. NOTE: Announcement will remain open until no longer needed but no later than September 30, 2023. 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. Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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. English Language Proficiency: 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) Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12, 2015) 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: (1) 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.

(2) 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: Entry Level Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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):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: (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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46 – Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated 03/12/2015. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. 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 Nursing Assistant (NA) demonstrates active collaboration and communication as a member of a larger healthcare team which includes the Patient, Provider, RN and the Larger Team consisting of family/caregiver, internal and community-based services and disciplines involved in providing care to the patient. The NA interacts with patients, family members, professionals and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care and is pro-active at instituting care for a wide variety of patients of varying ages and states of health that will be examined and treated in the various units within the facility. The NA must adhere to Medical Center and Service level policies and procedures to provide the care needed and to identify each patient’s requirements relative to his or her population-specific needs. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Interacts with patients, family members, professionals, and other supportive personnel involved in the delivery of patient care. Observes, identifies, and responds to the patients’ needs for nursing, medication, and equipment assisted care and recognizes deviations from normal. Provides basic nursing care to the patient/resident that includes baths, personal hygiene, nutrition (feeding), elimination and intake and output. Ensures adequate hydration by providing fluids throughout tour. Assists and/or teaches the patient/ resident in self-care activities of daily living including dressing and grooming. Supports and assists patient/resident with communication skills.

Supports and assists patient/resident with eating. Supports staff in the de-escalation of disturbed behavior and the monitoring of suicidal patients. Performs active and passive range of motion exercises. Supports and assists patient/resident with turning, moving, lifting, or transferring. Assists patient/resident to ambulate. Participates in the admission, transfer, and discharge of the patient/ resident, provides for care of the body after death and assists with escorting to the morgue. Performs assigned clinical procedures such as indwelling catheter care, application of External Urinary Devices, and colostomy bags, unsterile soaks and compresses, hot and cold applications, ace bandages, elastic hose, slings, and binders. Performs assigned technical procedures but not limited to: taking and recording BP, temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse ox, height, weight, collecting specimens such as expectorated sputum, stool, urine-voided, midstream or from a drainage collection bag, glucose finger sticks, EKG, and administering oxygen using tank and wall oxygen. Records vital signs, procedure, and nursing care on appropriate flow sheets and in the electronic medical record. Participates in patient/resident arid family teaching and rehabilitation.

Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Work Schedule: 12 hour Day, Evening, and Night schedules to be discussed during the interview. May be required to be on call, work weekend/holidays as needs of the service dictate. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Nursing Assistant/000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

Source ⇲