Duties

Summary

The Richmond VA Medical Center is seeking Nursing Assistants within various units to be a member of the Nursing Service Team.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 6), Richmond VA Medical Center, Nursing Service, Richmond, VA. The position functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded 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. As a member of the interdisciplinary team with an assigned patient load of selected chronically and/or acutely ill patients, the employee will be able to perform duties and responsibilities of the GS-3 and GS-4. In addition, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
  • Perform a range of treatment procedures that include carrying out standard precautions; measuring vital signs; changing complex sterile and non-sterile dressings; irrigating selected wounds with a bulb syringe; irrigating nasogastric tubes to maintain patency; administering tube feedings via nasogastric, PEG or gastrostomy tubes; cleaning and/or changing ostomy appliances; irrigating colostomies; giving special care to paralyzed patients;
  • Observe intravenous fluids for continuation of flow and reports observations to professional nurse as necessary;
  • Observe acute changes in patient condition and responds in emergencies appropriately;
  • Report all observations of patient condition;
  • Document observations and care given in the patient's clinical record;
  • Assist the physician with diagnostic procedures, such as lumbar puncture, physical examinations, etc.
  • Transport patient within the Medical Center and/or accompanies selected patients by ambulance to and from other hospitals, nursing homes or the patient's home;
  • Recognize and report potential and/or existing safety hazards to prevent accidents and provide a safe environment;
  • Observe changes in patients' conditions; report findings based upon understanding of the therapeutic regimen, and document observations and care given in the patient's clinical record; and
  • Reinforce patient and family/significant other teaching; support patients with physical limitations during physical, psychological and/or emotional readjustment.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
5

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/30/2019.
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.

Preferred Experience: Three (3) years full time experience as a Nursing Assistant
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Grade Determinations:

GS-5: 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

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 Vocation 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 nursing assistants by assisting with 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 vacancy is for full performance level GS-05.

NOTE: Candidate's education and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected.

BLS/ACLS Requirements: Current certification in BLS is required for all staff providing direct patient care, and police. Additionally, current ACLS is required for patient care staff that work in specified or high risk areas (SICU/ICU/CCU/MICU/PACU/ED/and all procedure suites using moderate sedation, etc.). If you are selected for a position which requires BLS/ACLS certification, you will be required to have proof of certification prior to being boarded for appointment with VA. If selected, obtain such certification in order to avoid any delays in the hiring process.

References: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration, VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46.

Physical Requirements: In addition to regular and recurring bending, moving, stooping, stretching, and repositioning patients, or similar activities, the work requires: regular and recurring ability to appropriately manage unpredictable patient behavior including possible attack. Rotation to tours other than day tour to provide twenty-four (24) hour coverage seven (7) days a week. The work involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions. In addition, the work involves regular and recurring exposure to infection, contagious diseases and environmental odors. Personal Protective Equipment is used when indicated.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: 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-5. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated March 12, 2015, and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/nursing-assistant-series-0621/

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

CV or Resume (Required). Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, full-time or part-time, start/end dates in mm/dd/yy format, AND average number of hours worked per week.

VA Form 10-2850c (Required) - Application for Nursing Assistants. Available at the VA Forms website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf ) Application 10-2850c is required to be considered for this position. Please complete form in its entirety. If you answer "YES" to questions item # 15B and/or item # 28 through # 37, please attach a separate sheet of paper with a brief explanation for each question to which you answered "Yes". Information must be current not older than a year. Outdated and/or incomplete applications will be ineligible for consideration. Page 3 and 4 MUST be signed within 1 year of closing date.

Copies of college transcript(s) (Official copy will be required for appointment if selected).

Copies of all licensures and certifications. Nursys License Verification: https://www.nursys.com/LQC/LQCTerms.aspx Other Documents (if applicable)

If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 or proof of service (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf ).

If currently employed for Federal agency, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (except current Richmond VAMC employees). SF 50 must show your tenure code, position occupied and highest grade and step. In addition, if you have or had service in a Federal Law Enforcement position covered by law enforcement or firefighter retirement provisions, including early or mandatory retirement, the SF-50 must show the retirement code. An award SF-50 does not contain the required information.

Candidates should submit a copy of their two most recent performance appraisal.

Any other documentation of education/awards/training, etc. which would enhance your qualifications for this position.

If you fail to submit the required documents, you will be considered ineligible for consideration. Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), or 10pt (CP/CPS, XPP, XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP), on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section(s) provided. A legible copy of your DD214(s) indicating character of service, disability certification, SF-15 (if claiming 10 pt. preference) or if you are currently serving on active duty and expected to be released or discharged within 120 days; documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation. Documentation is required for eligibility verification.

"Veterans' preference does not apply for current permanent Federal agency employees as long as they are listed as part of the area of consideration."

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.