Nursing Assistant

This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Wilmington VA Medical Center. The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of a professional nursing care team - assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of Veterans receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. Patient assignments involve both basic and more complex nursing care within a range of predictable to unpredictable 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
  - 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
• OR
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for 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 Grade Determinations: GS-5 NA (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 (Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs - 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/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other health care professionals.)
• 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 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/Qualification Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-5.
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA HANDBOOK 5019

• As a Nursing Assistant you will perform a wide range or patient personal care - diagnostic services - treatment - and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis
• You will deliver safe and individualized nursing care on patients with multiple complex needs
• Provide care that addresses physical - emotional - rehabilitative - and spiritual needs or veterans
• You will function as part of a nursing team and care is focused under the Charge RN
• Major duties include - but may not be limited to:
  Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds…