Nursing Assistant - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Overview

Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is looking for a Nursing Assistant to join the Geriatrics and Extended Care Community Living Center team.

Summary

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.

• 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
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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. Grandfathering Provisions
• All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:
  Temporary appointments prior to the effective date of the standard may not be extended or renewed until they fully meet the basic requirements
• If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at re-entry
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level):
  None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 NA:
  One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field including skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills for basic and intermediate treatments
• OR
  
  Education:
  
  Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with related courses in nursing care, health care or a related field
• 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
• Ability to observe patients/residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations to supervisor in a timely manner
• Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures
• 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
• AND Demonstrated KSAs: ability to assist in the full range of nursing care with supervision under RN/LPN; ability to communicate orally with patients, families, and team; precepting responsibilities for new NAs; ability to recognize and react to emergent care situations
• For example: basic life support, controlling bleeding, assisting with behavior crisis
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected ranges GS-03 to GS-05
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard - dated May 22, 2024
• Physical Requirements:
  
  this position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity
• May require long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may require donning protective clothing in isolation or operative procedures
• May be exposed to patients who are combative due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• Must be mature, flexible, and capable of working effectively in stressful situations
• NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., TB screening) as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements align with VA Directive Handbook 5019

• The duties of the position include, but are not limited to: utilizing glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans and referring deviations to appropriate health care staff
• Providing direct care for complex veterans
• Observing subtle changes in resident's condition (behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc.) and taking action within the NA's assigned role
• Documenting care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responding appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing staff; administering complete tracheostomy care including suctioning
• Monitoring and documenting patient intake…