Nursing Assistant – Domiciliary

Summary James A. Haley Veterans Hospital looking for a full-time Nursing Assistant (NA) (Multiple positions) assigned to the Domiciliary Care (DOM). The Nursing Assistant (NA) primary purpose is to perform assigned duties that promotes quality health care. Using multidisciplinary approach, collaborates with the mental health domiciliary staff and other disciplines/services to complete duties to provide care to a complex patient population. Responsibilities The Nursing Assistant may perform these duties in the Domiciliary. The Nursing Assistant (NA) will care for patients/residents within this facility through the rehabilitation process. Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences Service (MHBSS) at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics (JAHVH) offers specialized inpatient and outpatient care to its veteran population. These services are provided within Mental Health inpatient psychiatry units – Acute Recovery Centers (ARC) and Domiciliary (DOM) Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (RRTP). The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, or other healthcare professionals. In addition to performing basic patient care duties, the MHBSS Nursing Assistant requires skills to maintain a sterile field in procedural areas, the ability to set up or reprocess Reusable Medical Equipment (RME), knowledgeable of equipment/devices. Duties may include but are not limited to the following: Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families, and/or significant others utilizing communication skills. Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. Participates in shift reports, safety huddles, and contributes with information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintains a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients by performing such activities as checking equipment, assessing safety hazards, straightening procedural and storage areas, cleaning stretchers and wheelchairs between patient uses. Sends broken, torn, or equipment needing maintenance to designated areas. Monitors patients who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Performs and documents prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes. Refers deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care, provider. Recognizing changes in the patients condition and behavior (e.g., level of consciousness, inappropriate behavior), and reporting this to the Registered Nurse (RN). Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit/service routines and policies. Provides care appropriate to the age of patients served. Applying the principles of growth and development over the life span and identifying age-specific needs. Other duties assigned Work Schedule: Variable depending on the needs of the agency. Telework: Not eligible. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. 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. Education: 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 entry level. English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated in section A, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidates qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-03: Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-04: Employees may be appointed at or advanced to GS-4 if they meet any of the criteria below: 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; 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. 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. 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-05: the Nursing Assistant must meet the following to be appointed at or advanced to GS-05. This is the full performance level for NAs: 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 Education – Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelors degree; 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is Grade 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, kneeling, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual, capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and able to shift priorities based on patient needs. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards. Paid Time Off: 104 hours (2.6 weeks) paid annual leave- accrual starting on your first day. Paid annual sick leave based on hours worked – accrual starting on your first day (no limit on accrual). 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 retirements). During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.