Summary

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time Nursing Assistant (NA) within Medical/Surgical Nursing Service located in Marion - IL. The Nursing Assistant works as an important part of a nursing team caring for acutely ill Veterans with complex - critical health issues requiring constant monitoring and intervention.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Experience - 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 Nursing Assistant 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (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 Nursing Assistant: 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 - 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: 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 Assignment
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• 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/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 Nursing Assistants or other health care professionals
• In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other health care professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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
• 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
• Assignment
• This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• 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/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 within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• Preferred Experience: Two (2 years) of Nursing Assistant experience - One year of acute care Nursing Assistant experience and telemetry trained preferred
• 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 GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: Position requires light to heavy lifting and carrying (15 pounds - 45 pounds and over) - pushing (2 hours) - reaching above shoulder - walking (5 hours) - standing (3 hours) - repeated bending (2 hours) - use of fingers and both hands required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Depth perception - and the ability to distinguish basic colors and shade of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• The Medical-Surgical Nursing Assistant operates under the supervision of the RN - carrying out various responsibilities as outlined below
• Additionally - the incumbent will receive training in cardiac monitoring and essential tasks associated with the telemetry system
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Take and record patient vital signs Administer skin care treatments to prevent complications and promote healing - utilizing a range of cleansing baths and shampoos
• Facilitate oral care and hygiene - including the maintenance of dentures
• Accountable for guaranteeing the correct arrangement of rooms and the cleanliness of terminal rooms suitable for each Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Provide assistance with the utilization of bedpans and urinals
• applies external catheters and ensures their patency or drainage
• aids in bowel and bladder training
• supports the provision of ostomy care for established and uncomplicated ostomies
• Aid patients in self-feeding or provides assistance to those unable to feed themselves - monitoring and documenting all intake and output - excluding totals from intravenous and tube feeding
• (May assist RN with administering Bolus Tube Feedings via G-tube - J-tube - GJ-tube by positioning the patient and passing supplies.) Reposition patients as necessary utilizing various supportive and comfort devices
• Aids or facilitates patient transfers and activities - such as ambulation - stretcher - and/or wheelchair to bed
• Accompanies patients to tests as required
• Provide support in the assembly of equipment for sterile procedures - as well as the administration of oxygen and the setup of vacuum/suction systems
• Participate in health team conferences by reporting observations of patient's physical - mental - and emotional status
• Assist in diagnostic examinations by positioning/draping the patient and passing instruments and supplies
• Engage in team communication to enhance all facets of patient safety and is responsible for ensuring effective handoff communication to incoming Nursing Assistants to prevent any lapses in care
• Monitor cardiac rhythms on telemetry system Other duties as assigned
• This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments - as this is a 24/7 hospital
• The incumbent may be required to rotate tours and duties during low/high census or complete administrative tasks established by the immediate supervisor
• PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
• If selected - Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment
• Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted
• Work Schedule: Primarily night shift (7:30 p.m
• - 8:00 a.m.) with 12-hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled
• There are six (6) 12-hour shifts and one eight (8) hour shift per pay period or Primary day shift (7:30 a.m
• - 8:00 p.m.) with 12-hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled
• There are six (6) 12-hour shifts and one eight (8) hour shift per pay period
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized