Summary

The VA San Francisco Health Care System (VASFHCS) Nursing Assistant communicates with and observes patients during escorting procedures and ensures patient safety. The Nursing Assistant position will be the Nursing-Acute Care service. Provides nursing care to chronically and/or acutely ill patients under the minimal direction of the Registered Nurse - Nurse Practitioner - and/or the physician.

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
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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.* 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
• 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-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)
• Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• 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)
• The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3
• 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.4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health 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 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:1
• 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.2
• 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.3
• 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: Duties require extensive period of standing - sitting and walking
• Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending - lifting - stooping - stretching and similar activities
• The employee provides physical restraints for confused or combative patients as necessary
• The nursing assistant must be physically able to lift to meet the physical standards of the position as evaluated by Employee Health
• 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).

Duties

• Duties include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates dependability and reliability by scheduling and using leave appropriately for positive impact on patient/resident care
• Recognizes and reports subtle or obvious changes in patient's/resident's behavior - communication - or physical condition
• Documents observations - changes in patient's/resident's condition - and response to nursing interventions as applicable
• Assists in the development of the nursing care plan by defining problems and needs and suggesting nursing actions based on information gained through interaction with the patient/resident and/or group meetings
• Assists with planned therapy sessions in conjunction with RN
• Works with assigned patients/residents using a variety approaches for the purpose of promoting independence and self-reliance and encouraging patients/residents to accept responsibility for their own behavior
• Shares patient/resident information and reactions with the interdisciplinary team
• Assists in maintaining a safe - clean - and therapeutic environment
• Recognizes and reports problems and makes suggestions for corrective actions
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm PST - varies patient care needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 662-08570F - 662-08571F - 662-08572F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized