Nursing Assistant - CLC
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Johnson City, TN, United States
Overview
Summary
The Nursing Assistant (NA) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is assigned to provide care for an adult/geriatric patient population ranging from the critically/acutely ill patient to the chronically/terminally ill long-term patients, including mental health patients. The incumbent's work area may be either on a ward setting and/or with patients in transit or while in other designated places.
Qualifications
Qualifications
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
Education or Training
One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3
Physical Requirements
Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over)
Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
Pushing (up to 8 hours)
Reaching above shoulders
Use of fingers
Both hands required
Walking (up to 8 hours)
Standing (up to 8 hours)
Kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
Both legs required
Hearing (aid permitted)
English Language Proficiency: 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)
Experience and Education Standards
Preferred Experience: One year experience in either Acute Care or Long-Term Care
GS-3: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field 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
GS-4: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, or successful completion of 2 years above high school in related coursework
In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities: 1) provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the nurse care plan; 2) observe patient status and refer deviations to supervisor; 3) use equipment and supplies in basic procedures; 4) communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals
GS-5: One year of progressively responsible assignments demonstrating related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a 4-year degree with related coursework
In addition to the above, the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1) assist in full range of nursing care under the direction of a RN or LVN/LPN; 2) communicate with patients, families, and team; 3) serve as a preceptor to new nursing assistants; 4) recognize and react to emergent patient care situations
References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II - Appendix G46
Physical and Work Requirements
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
Potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
Transferring patients and objects may be required
Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; may require donning protective clothing
May be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
NA must be mature, flexible, sensible, and capable of working in stressful situations; shift priorities as needed
Annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., TB) may be required
Physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019
Duties
NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients/residents who are in acute, subacute, or chronic states of illness
NAs at this level may handle more complex nursing needs and assume a peer education/mentorship role
Other duties as assigned
Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings; refers deviations to appropriate health care staff; provides direct care for complex veterans
Observes subtle changes in resident condition and actions accordingly within the NA role
Documents care given and observations on appropriate tools or forms; responds to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing staff
Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning; monitors and documents intake/output and deviations
Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice per policies and procedures (e.g., enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, braces, prosthetic devices)
Works on small group activities with veterans/residents per treatment plan; actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings
Utilizes equipment to promote self-care (lift equipment, hydrotherapy tubs, wandering system)
Enters information about residents' conditions in charts in appropriate formats
Maintains a clean, safe environment; removes defective equipment; reports hazards; observes safety regulations; contributes to infection control
Serves as unit safe patient handling liaison and as preceptor/mentor to other NAs
Orients health care team members to units as appropriate
Functions as a member of the unit-based council
Manages distributed patient behavior and appropriately intervenes and requests assistance from other health care members
Initiates basic life support as needed
Work Schedule: Full-time (Rotational shifts)
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; potential higher step rate based on qualifications
Pay Schedule: 001M - VOSO; PTO, leave, and federal holidays as described; parental leave after 12 months; childcare subsidy eligibility after 60 days; retirement: federal pension and 401K options
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: Not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 60493-F - 60494-F - 60495-F; PCS: Not Authorized
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Summary
The Nursing Assistant (NA) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is assigned to provide care for an adult/geriatric patient population ranging from the critically/acutely ill patient to the chronically/terminally ill long-term patients, including mental health patients. The incumbent's work area may be either on a ward setting and/or with patients in transit or while in other designated places.
Qualifications
Qualifications
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
Education or Training
One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3
Physical Requirements
Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over)
Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over)
Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
Pushing (up to 8 hours)
Reaching above shoulders
Use of fingers
Both hands required
Walking (up to 8 hours)
Standing (up to 8 hours)
Kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
Repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
Both legs required
Hearing (aid permitted)
English Language Proficiency: 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)
Experience and Education Standards
Preferred Experience: One year experience in either Acute Care or Long-Term Care
GS-3: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field 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
GS-4: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, or successful completion of 2 years above high school in related coursework
In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities: 1) provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the nurse care plan; 2) observe patient status and refer deviations to supervisor; 3) use equipment and supplies in basic procedures; 4) communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals
GS-5: One year of progressively responsible assignments demonstrating related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a 4-year degree with related coursework
In addition to the above, the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1) assist in full range of nursing care under the direction of a RN or LVN/LPN; 2) communicate with patients, families, and team; 3) serve as a preceptor to new nursing assistants; 4) recognize and react to emergent patient care situations
References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II - Appendix G46
Physical and Work Requirements
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
Potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
Transferring patients and objects may be required
Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; may require donning protective clothing
May be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
NA must be mature, flexible, sensible, and capable of working in stressful situations; shift priorities as needed
Annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., TB) may be required
Physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019
Duties
NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients/residents who are in acute, subacute, or chronic states of illness
NAs at this level may handle more complex nursing needs and assume a peer education/mentorship role
Other duties as assigned
Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings; refers deviations to appropriate health care staff; provides direct care for complex veterans
Observes subtle changes in resident condition and actions accordingly within the NA role
Documents care given and observations on appropriate tools or forms; responds to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing staff
Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning; monitors and documents intake/output and deviations
Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice per policies and procedures (e.g., enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, braces, prosthetic devices)
Works on small group activities with veterans/residents per treatment plan; actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings
Utilizes equipment to promote self-care (lift equipment, hydrotherapy tubs, wandering system)
Enters information about residents' conditions in charts in appropriate formats
Maintains a clean, safe environment; removes defective equipment; reports hazards; observes safety regulations; contributes to infection control
Serves as unit safe patient handling liaison and as preceptor/mentor to other NAs
Orients health care team members to units as appropriate
Functions as a member of the unit-based council
Manages distributed patient behavior and appropriately intervenes and requests assistance from other health care members
Initiates basic life support as needed
Work Schedule: Full-time (Rotational shifts)
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; potential higher step rate based on qualifications
Pay Schedule: 001M - VOSO; PTO, leave, and federal holidays as described; parental leave after 12 months; childcare subsidy eligibility after 60 days; retirement: federal pension and 401K options
Telework: Not Available; Virtual: Not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 60493-F - 60494-F - 60495-F; PCS: Not Authorized
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