Nursing Assistant

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.

• All applicants must meet the following basic requirements to qualify
• United States Citizenship:
  Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Experience - 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 NA
• OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation (transcripts required) Physical Requirements
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation as required by VA Handbook 5019
• This evaluation is administered by VA Occupational Health
• English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f) and 7407(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Grandfathering Provisions:
  All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• GS-5 Grade Requirements (Full Performance Level):
  In addition to the above basic requirements - all applicants must also meet the following grade requirements
• 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
• Examples of experience include - but is not limited to: functioning as a member of the nursing care team & assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff & 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
• 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
• assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care
• etc
• -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 (transcripts required)
• AND Demonstrated KSAs
• In addition - you 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 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 while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Preferred Experience
  - These preferences are highly desired:
  Experience in utilizing dependability self direction
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Able to adapt and be flexible
• Outstanding customer service skills & the ability to work in a team environment
• Working independently with minimum supervision & to prioritize tasks
• Working under pressure & with individuals with various socioeconomic backgrounds in a courteous - tactful & professional manner to complete tasks & assist Veteran patients & their families
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.

• Applicant's note:
  This announcement is being used to fill various vacancies throughout the Miami VA Healthcare System
• Selections will be made from various service lines/departments as vacancies become available
• When applying for this position - you must select…