Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) assigned to the Community Living Center (CLC) provides safe and individualized resident care to complex, frail and mostly elderly residents who are chronically ill in a home environment. The primary practice setting is in the CLC.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

1st Area of Consideration - current permanent G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center employees including satellites; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; 4th Area of Consideration -current permanent Federal employees of other Agencies.

Duties

**If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply to CBST--SC**

The duties of the Nursing Assistant include, but are not limited to:

Performs/assist with resident's Activities of Daily Living (AOL) as per the resident's required level of assistance including functional mobility, transfers, personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, toileting, dressing, transfers, ambulation and feeding.

Ensures/verifies meal consumption for each resident by either asking resident about his/her food intake including food brought from off premises, verbal prompting to encourage resident to eat, physically guiding resident or feeding residents that require full physical assistance.

Utilizes adaptive feeding equipment. Adheres to dysphagia and aspiration precautions. Ensures/verifies consumption of snacks and supplements.

Performs hydration rounds including residents with enteral tubes to avoid dehydration and other medical complications.

Performs, assist or cues for appropriate dental mouth hygiene and understands the correlation between mouth care and pneumonia. Utilizes "Mouth Care without a Battle" techniques as established.

Performs, assist or cues in resident bath including hair and complete body. Bed bath with wipes is performed in between showers. Perianal care is provided as needed to ensure resident is clean and dry. Utilizes "Bathing Without a Battle" (BWB) techniques, as needed.

Monitors for need of tracheostomy care and notifies RN or LPN to perform procedure.

Assures oxygen therapy is connected as per order. Positions resident to promote breathing and to maintain airway. Assists patients with incentive spirometry.

Performs bowel care effectively according to the resident bowel care program to avoid bowel accidents, constipation, and autonomy dysreflexia. Monitors for signs and symptoms of constipation including bowel movement patterns.

Implements nursing interventions to prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) including Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI). Always maintains urinary drainage bags covered, fixed, below bladder level and less than half full.

Implements skin and wound care program interventions as Per policy including but not limited to:

Skin inspection during care activities.

Turning and repositioning program interventions.

Interventions to reduce friction and shear.

Management of incontinence associated dermatitis.

Applying preventive dressings in bony prominences.

Placing pressure redistribution support surfaces.

Prevention of Skin Tears.

Nursing Assistant -

Work Schedule: Rotation of tours, including weekends and holidays.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.

Telework: Not Authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00195-F; 00194-F; 00193-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

You may be required to serve a probationary period.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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.

English Language: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in both spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

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 NA and may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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 or Education or Training. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 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, healthcare 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-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. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate 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:

3-5 years of current Nursing Assistant experience.

1-2 years of Nursing Assistant experience in a long term/skilled nursing facility.

Nursing Assistant certification desirable.

Plans, organizes, and completes assignments within scheduled shift.

Experienced in infection prevention procedures, safety procedures, and long-term regulations.

References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: .

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with and certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at . Applicant written complaints should include the following:

Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA)

Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known).

Date of contact.

Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint.

Visit for more information.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Resume

SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)

Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)

Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)

Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility):

Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include:

Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or

Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or

SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.