The Fayetteville VA Medical Center is looking for a Float Pool Nursing Assistant (NA) to join the team! The Nursing Assistant Float practices according to guidelines established by VISN 6 and facility leadership and serves as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Basic Requirements: U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may 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 NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-5: Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) (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 and the KSAs in subparagraph (c) below: (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. 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. Physical Requirements: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Working with patients requires bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pulling, and other similar activities. The use of correct body mechanics is required. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 05. ["The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients who are acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illnesses. The NA will typically have patient assignments which involve more complex nursing needs, and these needs can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. These duties may include but are not limited to: Assisting the Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse in the provision of patient care by meeting the patient's nursing needs; Maintaining knowledge and skill in performing support duties which include monitoring vital signs, pain level, height and weight, ADLs, finger stick glucose, body mechanics, etc. Completing assignments and assisting others as needed. Participating in assessing patient's teaching needs and participating in patient and family teaching. Encouraging patient and family to attend educational classes such as diabetes, hypertension, nutrition, and weight management. Maintaining confidentiality of electronic, written and verbal patient/employee information. Demonstrating appropriate body mechanics when repositioning or moving patients. Maintaining the ability to physically intervene with disruptive patients and protect self and others from injury. Will perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Various Functional Statement Title/#: Nursing Assistant"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
