A recruitment incentive of $3,500 is offered for qualifying applicants. The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing team in providing quality patient care on any medical/surgical unit. The employee in this position provides intensive or total nursing care to medically/surgically unstable patients which requires a high degree of versatility. These patients range from those with an acute onset of a disease to multiple systems failure. 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 NA 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. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (3/26/2014) 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. Preferred Experience: Med Surg/Telemetry, Emergency Room, Psychiatric/Mental Health or Critical Care Specialized Experience is experience which is in or directly related to the duties of the position to be filled such as non professional nursing care, work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other medical, nursing, or patient care facility, or in such work as that of a home health aid. While working in the above areas the duties must have included technical and medical support functions such as personal care needs, i.e. bathing, feeding lifting, taking vital signs collecting specimens or other functions which has equipped the applicant with the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties as described in this announcement. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience and Education Requirements: To qualify at the GS-3 grade level (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements above. To qualify at the GS-4 grade level: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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, 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 (KSA's): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's 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 resident's 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. To qualify at the GS-5 level (Full-performance): 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 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA's. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Pat II, Appendix G46 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration Note: 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. Promotion is not guaranteed nor implied. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5005, Part III, Chapter 2, paragraph 7, and VA Handbook 5019, Occupational Health Services. All applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficiently the duties of the position. Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; straight pulling; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; climbing, use of legs and arms; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted). ["Duties include, but not limited to: Assists with patient admission, transfer or discharge. In addition to obtaining basic information, the person observes skin condition for pressure areas, lesions, bruises, etc., that will indicate the need for special nursing measures. The person further assists the Team Leader/Primary Care Nurse with baseline data collections as sensorium, presence of tubes and gives the patient and family an orientation to the ward and explains hospital rules such as visiting hours and smoking regulations. Applies principles of normal range of motion, body mechanics and body alignments. This is done several times a tour for the immobilized patient and the person has a thorough understanding of this nursing measure. Performs duties in connection with personal services to patients such as bathing, oral hygiene, shampoo, shaving, giving bedpans and urinals, answering call lights, ambulating, positioning, lifting and transporting patients, feeding patients and applying condom drains. The person understands the complications and the necessity of good oral hygiene. Assists the physician or nurse in performing procedures by positioning, draping and supporting the patient and setting up equipment, such as lumbar puncture trays, aspiration trays, etc. With additional knowledge received, the person understands why they place a patient in a special position for a procedure, as for the lumbar puncture, and also knows that specimen labeling must be done immediately and taken to lab with very careful handling. Utilizes principles of asepsis in performing urological procedures, such as catheterization and irrigations. The person, monitors continuous irrigations of bladder or wounds, reporting to the. Team Leader/Primary Care Nurse the type of drainage. Changes simple non-sterile dressings. Prepares and gives tap water and soap suds enemas, irrigates mature colostomies and supports the teaching programs for patient and family care for all ostomates. Keeps constantly alert in observing patients, notes any significant changes, whether evidenced by a physical observation or by a mechanical means, takes emergency action for which he/she is trained and calls the professional nurse. Work Schedule: Various tours available. Will be determined by the Hiring Manager (Nurse Manager) of the position.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant (Louisville) OCA - External/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]