The Battle Creek VA Medical Center is recruiting for Nursing Assistants in Extended Care Service. You will function as a Nursing Assistant for Long Term Care in neighborhood 83-1, 84-1, or 84-2. This is an Open Continuous Announcement for Public Applicants. Agency employees should apply using https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/692506600. Qualified candidates will be referred as opening exist. 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). 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: 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-3 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. GS-4 Education or Training. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, 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 residents' 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 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. 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; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G46, Qualification Standards for Nursing Assistants. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. 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: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over); Heavy carrying (45lbs and over); Straight pulling (up to an hour) Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers and both hands is required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 2 hours); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16", Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Mental and emotional stability. ["The Extended Care Service Nursing Assistants (NAs) function as a member of the health care team and provides direct patient care to Veterans in the Community Living Center, a long-term care setting on the campus of the Battle Creek Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The Nursing Assistants in the Community Living Center are expected to provide direct resident care including bathing, grooming, dressing, oral care, feeding, toileting, transferring, turning and engaging the residents in meaningful activities and restorative nursing programs. The Nursing Assistant serves as a member to the interdisciplinary care team and engages with the resident, the resident's family and other members of the care team designing and implementing the resident's unique plan of care. The Nursing Assistant performs a variety of personal nursing care duties which include but are not limited to: Maintaining a safe physical environment. Recognizing potentially hazardous conditions on the Neighborhoods and reporting them to the Registered Nurse (RN). Taking and charting vital signs, height and weight. Completing complex nursing procedures including bathing, hygiene, grooming, dressing, toileting, oral suctioning, catheterization, colostomy irrigation and care, caring for residents with supplemental oxygen therapy and assisting the Physician or RN with physical examinations and procedures. Engaging the residents in meaningful activities. Observing and documenting disturbed behaviors and working with the interdisciplinary team on managing resident's behaviors and improving resident comfort. Charting residents' physical and emotional responses and progress, describing subtle behavioral changes and interactions with other, and reporting and recording care. Nursing Assistants may be assigned to the following neighborhoods 83-1: Palliative Care 84-1: Long Term Care and Rehabilitation 84-2: Dementia Care Work Schedule: Sunday through Saturday. 7:00am to 7:30pm OR 7:00pm to 7:30am. 80 hours per pay period (2 weeks) Hours may be rotated or extended based on the needs of the Medical Center and our Veterans. Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Maybe authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
