Summary

The Float Pool Nursing Assistant (NA) provide care under close supervision - are learning to perform complex nursing skills - and will refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals. Performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan - recovery - and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider.

Qualifications

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: Nursing Assistants (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-03
• 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)
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Grade Determinations: GS-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 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 - 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
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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
• ASSIGNMENT: 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 health care professionals
• In this role - the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists 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 who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals
• GS-05 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 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
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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
• ASSIGNMENT: 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.??????? Preferred Experience: One (1) year hospital experience - Phlebotomy experience and 12 Lead EKG administration 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or Community Living Center (CLC) - acute - sub-acute
• Utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veterans
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• Performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan - recovery - and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider
• Participates in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributes information for the development and review of the nursing care plan
• Maintaining a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards and faulty equipment
• Documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients - such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing - and simple dressing changes
• Sets up patient care related equipment - such as hypothermia machines - oxygen delivery systems - portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury
• Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning and monitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices
• Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care - participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning and enters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formats
• Performs all other assigned duties
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm and Monday - Friday 7:30am to 8:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 10540F/10541F/10542F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized