Nursing Assistant- Community Living Center

Overview

The Orlando Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is looking for a Nursing Assistant to work in Nursing - GEC. The Nursing Assistant is at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised. The NA is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team.

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 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
• 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 NA (Entry Level)
• Experience and
  
  Education:
  
  None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments:
  Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 NA
• 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs):
  Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents; observe physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner; properly use equipment in basic diagnostic and treatment procedures; communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals
• Assignment: 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 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
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• Experience:
  
  One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to GS-4 level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs
• 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
• Assignment:
  This is the full performance level for NAs
• NAs at this level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff 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 distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary…