Career Center

VA BHHCS is a multi-campus health care system, with approximately 1300 employees, providing primary care, acute medicine, surgery, behavioral health, nursing home and domiciliary care from medical centers located at Fort Meade and Hot Springs, South Dakota as well as a staffed Community Based Outreach Clinic in Rapid City and numerous contracted and staffed clinics in Western South Dakota, Northern Nebraska and Eastern Wyoming. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/28/2022. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: (a) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (b) 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. (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Previous experience working in a Home Health Setting Basic Life Support Certification (BLS) GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 Grade Determinations: (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. GS-4 Grade Determinations: (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 (transcripts required); 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/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. (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. 2. 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 provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 Grade Determinations: (a) 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, (b) 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 (transcripts required); AND (c) 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. (d) Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs 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. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), strait pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers and both hands/legs/eyes (limb prosthesis allowed if functionally equivalent), walking and standing, crawling and kneeling, repeated bending, climbing, hearing (aid permitted), ability to perform PMDB and BLS, patient lifting (mechanical assistance available), emotional and mental stability, ability to read medication labels and equipment manuals, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. ["This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 28th, 2022 and may be extended until all vacancies are filled. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be July 15th. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. The Nursing Assistant (NA), assigned to Home Care has education and skill necessary to provide clinical support for the clinical and clerical support of the adult and geriatric Veteran. The NA performs all duties under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN). The NA may be assigned clinical and non-clinical duties. Work assignments may consist of clinical and environmental tasks. The NA possesses the personal qualities, desire and attitude necessary to adapt to rapidly changing demands on time. Assignments are made by the Nurse Manager/designee or the RN. The Home Health Nursing Assistant will function within their catchment area to provide at home care to Veterans. Location will be based off of needs of position, and can be negotiated with approval of appropriate telework agreement. Travel is required. Duties include: 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. Assists in maintaining a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment. Recognizes and reports problems and makes suggestions for corrective actions. Personal Hygiene: bathing and perineal care, oral hygiene, denture care, shaving, grooming, bed making. Positioning and Activity: Positions patients using principles of body mechanics in lifting, alignment, turning, ambulation, transferring and repositioning patients with the use of proper equipment. Nutrition and Fluids: Assists patients at mealtimes and feeds patients as needed. Measures and records intake and output. Utilizes adaptive feeding equipment. Elimination: Maintains bowel function. Measures and records output and disposes of bodily wastes as assigned. Collects and labels specimens as indicated. Performs bladder scans. Obtains, records, reports vital signs and measurements which include temperature, pulse, respirations, pain, blood pressure including orthostatic, height, weight, abdominal or extremity girth, peripheral blood sugar and pulse oximetry. Escorts patients/residents scheduled for diagnostic procedures and/or appointments, on or off stations. Appropriate care is provided for a population ranging from young adult to geriatric age group, considering gender and culture. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant - Home Care/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $10,000 annually, up to $60,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being."]