Summary

This Nursing Assistant position is located at the Fargo VA Medical Center - Inpatient Nursing Services in Fargo - ND. The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of a nursing team - providing coverage for Veterans with complex - critical health issues within our medical-surgical unit. The Nursing Assistant works under the direction of the RN - monitoring patients and performing a mix of basic and more complex patient-centered tasks.

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
• To be at least minimally qualified for the nursing assistant occupation in VA - applicants must have completed at least one of the following: General Experience: Six months general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant
• Education: One year of education above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation
• Training: Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (e.g. - Nurse Aid Certification course) may also meet the experience requirements for GS-3. Applicants pending the completion of educational or training requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met
• Note: If basing all or part of your qualifications on education or training - copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the nursing assistant occupation - or documentation showing completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (e.g. - Nurse Aid Certificate) is required to verify you meet the basic education/training requirement
• While not required at the time of application - documentation may be required to receive further consideration
• Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12 - 2015) 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 DETERMINATION: 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. In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade
• To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels - your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) described below
• GS-3 - Entry Level Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 - Developmental Level 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 (transcripts required)
• 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 residents' 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-5 - 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 listed 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 (transcripts required)
• 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
• 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-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Fargo VA Healthcare System is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
• 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
• Major duties include - but not limited to: Assists with care of acutely ill and more complex residents
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition and reports to registered nurse
• Must be able to complete ADL's as directed by the RN
• Observes residents for appropriate oxygen administration and performs pulse oximeter readings
• Assists the nurse or provider with wound care
• Reinforces resident teaching
• Participates actively in mandatory reviews - unit meetings and in-services
• Manages indwelling urinary catheter bags
• emptying - recording and reporting urine output to the nurse
• Performs and records blood glucose monitoring and reports finding to nurse
• Provides 1:1 sitter coverage
• Obtains and records temperature - pulse - blood pressure - respirations - pulse oximetry - height - weight - and I&O
• Removal of heparin lock and urinary catheter based on competency
• Ensures correct placement of O2 via nasal cannula/mask
• Performs EKGs
• Exchanges oxygen tanks without adjusting oxygen LPM
• Transports residents to tests and procedures as directed
• Assists in monitoring and documentation of restraints as directed
• Maintains and stocks supplies on the unit as directed
• Demonstrates skill/knowledge/ability to perform treatments - procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Sunday-Saturday - Rotating Day/Night Shift - Rotating weekends and holidays required Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized