Summary

This Nursing Assistant position is in the Nursing service with the Central California VA Health Care System located in Fresno California. Under the direction of a Registered or Practical Nurse - the Nursing Assistant (NA) provides direct patient care. The NA operates across diverse settings - including inpatient - outpatient - acute - community living care & home care - supporting patients with both acute & chronic conditions.

Qualifications

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
• Experience/Education/Training: You may qualify based on your experience - training - and/or education as described below: General Experience: You must possess six (6) months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
• OR
• Education: One (1) year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation OR
• Training: Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one (1) year as a Nursing Assistant
• 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-03 Level: Experience or Education: None beyond basic requirements (see above)
• GS-04 Level: Experience: One (1) 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 two (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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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-05 Level: Full Performance Experience: One (1) 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
• 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: In addition to the experience or education above - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: Follows all safe patients handling training requirements in addition to local VA Central California Health Care System policy and AFGE union rules.

Duties

• About this position: This position serves as a Nursing Assistant at the Central California VA Health Care System located in Fresno California
• If selected the candidate can be selected at the GS-03 - GS-04 - or GS-05 level
• GS-03: Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients
• The employee is assigned to areas requiring specialized skills - perceptive judgment - observation - and use of complex equipment
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• GS-04: Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients
• The employee is assigned to areas requiring specialized skills - perceptive judgment - observation - and use of complex equipment
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• GS-05: Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients
• The distinguishing factor is that patient assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• Please see the rewards of being an employee with the Department of Veteran Affairs: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:00 a.m
• - 4:00 p.m.
• Subject to change to meet the needs of the Agency Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 08381-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized