Summary The incumbent is assigned to a unit or section in Nursing Service. The unit or section description and patient population served is as defined in applicable Scope of Service. The incumbent practices in a patient care setting with general supervision as needed for direction. The incumbent is accountable as assigned for a defined group of patients on his/her shift. Responsibilities Duties Include but not limited to: The NA or CNA provides basic care to patients, as well as assist them in daily activities they might have trouble with on their own, such as bathing. The NA or CNA performs assignments and services under the supervision of the RN and with guidance by the LPN/LVN and Nurse Manager and takes into consideration all physical, psychosocial, spiritual and cultural needs of the Veteran and their family. The NA or CNA recognizes the need for and seeks guidance when necessary to ensure quality patient care. The NA or CNA delivers safe and timely care based on evidence based practices. They will demonstrate ICARE values when providing patient care and interacting with the interdisciplinary team. The NA or CNA participates in Veteran health promotion and disease prevention to encourage return to optimal levels of function. The NA or CNA is to document using designated forms/templates, and follow policies, standard operating procedures, and Nursing Service Memorandums (NSMs). As needed, the Operating Room NA or CNA may be required to assist with patient care in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and Perioperative area. The services provided utilize all aspects of the nursing process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice setting. He/she is accountable for adhering to established policies, standards of care and standards of practice. The NA or CNA (depending on education, experience, and competency) may be assigned responsibilities as preceptor. Functions or scope of assigned duties: The NA or CNA is skilled at multi-tasking, medical teamwork, bedside manner, infection control, nursing skills, health promotion and maintenance, creating a safe, effective environment, informing others, judgment, and pain management in the acute/critical care setting. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provides patient personal hygiene by giving bedpans, urinals, baths, backrubs, shampoos, and shaves; assisting with travel to the bathroom; helping with showers and baths. Provides adjunct care: applies nonsterile dressings, surgical preps, ice packs, heat treatments, administers therapeutic baths; applies restraints. Provides patient comfort by utilizing resources and materials. Transports patients. Assists with patient transfers. Answers call lights and patient requests. Provides for activities of daily living by assisting with serving meals, feeding patients as necessary; ambulating, turning, and positioning patients; providing fresh water and nourishment between meals. Maintains a clean patient room. Cleans and sanitizes patient areas. Collects information about conditions and treatment plans from caregivers, nurses and doctors. Maintains patient stability by checking vital signs and weight; testing urine; recording intake and output information. Performs EKG. Observes not only the obvious changes in a patient's physical condition but the subtleties of their emotional state. Recognizes patients in distress needing immediate intervention. reports changes in the patient's condition to the RN. Recognizes signs of potential or active disruptive behavior and quickly acts with appropriate therapeutic interventions. Documents actions by completing forms, reports, logs, and records in a timely manner. Protects organization's value by keeping patient information confidential. Communicates effectively with a variety of individuals and functions calmly in situations which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy. Adheres to ethical principles and standards while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries when delivering care and interacting with the interdisciplinary team. Serves and protects the hospital community by adhering to professional standards, hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and accreditation standards. Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities. Enhances the nursing department and hospital reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments. Performs nursing activities according to VALLHS policy/procedures. Work Schedule: To be determined and can be based on hospital needs. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education or Training. The candidate must have 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. Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of 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: 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: GS-3 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-4 Experience/Education: In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants, 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 Nursing Assistants, or other healthcare professionals. 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: 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 Experience: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants 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. Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. 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: 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 Nursing Assistants 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 2 hours); Pushing (2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing (up to 8 hours); Both legs required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/40 and to 20/100 in the other. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.