Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

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:

• 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 (NA)
• 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 the GS-3.
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and
  
  Education:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant (Intermediate Level)
  
  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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge
  - Skills - and Abilities (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 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level)
  
  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
• 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):
  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…