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.
- English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English.
- Experience or Education or Training.
(1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,
(2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
(3) 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.
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:
GS-3 NA (Entry Level):
Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 NA (Developmental 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, 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:
i. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
ii. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
iii. 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.
iv. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
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. 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.
i. 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.
ii. 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.
iii. 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:
- A minimum of one year of successful experience in the clinical setting.
- 3-5 years nursing assistant experience.
- Provide a safe environment by performing hourly safety rounds, reporting findings to the treatment teams in a timely manner, documenting every shift and reporting significant findings.
- Respond to medical emergencies ensuring the safety of the unit as well as the resident, by providing immediate face-to-face interactions and reporting findings to the nursing team for follow-up recommendations and continue to conduct ongoing assessments of the care environment.
- Respond to emergency situations such as conducting CPR/First Aid until nursing/medical personnel arrive.
- Interacting with the Veterans in a supportive, therapeutic manner in between during ADLs and unit activities.
- Assists residents in contacting members of their treatment team or social services as needed.
- Identifies and reports data relative to more complex, non-routine patient situations including subtle changes in wounds, skin, patient's behavior, condition, or variance related to neurological signs, vital signs or other parameters.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5.
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, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.