Nursing Assistant; Emergency Department

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home - or community living care - acute - sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) b
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the NA 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. c
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• d
• 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
• e
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants 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:(1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(2)
  
  If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• 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: (1) GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education None beyond the basic requirements (b) Assignments Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• (2) GS-4 NA (a) 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 - (b) 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 - such as education in a program for psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians AND (c) 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/resident's 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 (d) Assignment Individuals assigned as 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 who are 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 healthcare professionals In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists 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 who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness The Nursing Assistant in this role…