Nursing Assistant

Join to apply for the Nursing Assistant role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
.

This Nursing Assistant announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies throughout the Bedford VA Healthcare System in Bedford, MA. Full‑time positions are available.

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.

• 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: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – part II – chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j.
• Experience:
  
  Six months of general experience.
• Education:
  
  One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation.
• Training:
  Completion of an intensive, specialized occupation‑related training course of study or program of less than one year may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS‑3.
• Grade Determinations:
  Applicants must also meet the grade level requirements and the Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

• GS‑3 Grade: None beyond the basic requirements (Experience and Education).
• GS‑4 Grade: Experience:
  One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.).
  
  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.
  Demonstrated KSAs:
  Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care, observe status and refer deviations, use equipment for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communicate effectively with patients, families, and other health professionals.
• GS‑5 Grade: Experience:
  One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS‑4 level.
  
  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.
  Demonstrated KSAs:
  Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse, communicate orally with the interdisciplinary team, and serve as a preceptor to new NAs.
• Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Qualification Standards.

• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinct speech, and manual dexterity.
• Requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Transferring patients and objects may be required.
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may need to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
• May be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements such as annual TB screening or testing.
• These physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

• Located in the Nursing Service Community Living Center (CLC) at the Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center.
• Available shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift changes will be considered based on patient and facility needs.
• Major duties include, but are not limited to, utilizing glucose monitoring machines, administering tracheostomy care, performing patient intake and output reporting, and supporting nursing procedures within scope of practice.
• Provides direct care for complex veterans, documents care and observations, and responds to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Works on small group activities, facilitates…