Nursing Assistant

Summary:

The Nursing Assistant position is within Nursing – Ambulatory Care services at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont.

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
• Experience or Education or Training:
  Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
• OR – One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• OR – Completion of an intensive – specialized – occupation‑related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS‑03
• English Language Proficiency:
  Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II – chapter 3 – section A – paragraph 3j
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment – the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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 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‑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
• 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 professional KSA below:
  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…