Certified Nursing Assistant

United States Department of Veterans Affairs•Fresno, CA

36d•Onsite

About The Position

The employee is assigned as a member of the nursing team in GEC Unit. The Certified Nursing Assistant is assigned to areas requiring specialized skills - perceptive judgement - observation - and use of complex equipment. 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 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: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education None beyond the basic requirements GS-4 Nursing Assistant.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 Nursing Assistants AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2 Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3 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.4 Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 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 Demonstrated 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

Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens 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)
GS-4 Nursing Assistant.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 Nursing Assistants AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2 Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3 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.4 Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 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 Demonstrated 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

Nice To Haves

Long Term Care Experience

Responsibilities

Performs a variety of assigned duties and checks with minimal direction from the professional nurse
Observes - reports and records concrete and subtle changes in patients' behaviors
Is available to speak to the patients in distress with the knowledge to de-escalate the patients in crises
Provides for adequate nutrition and hydration of patients' according to the interdisciplinary plan of care
Recognizes and reports physical and behavior changes - is empathetic to patients' emotional needs
Participates in nursing report and offers information
Plans and organizes work and establishes priorities of care
Exercises responsibility to maintain a clean and safe physical environment Reports equipment in need of repair - detects and reports unsafe conditions - interprets and enforces safety and fire regulations to residents - visitors and co-workers
Runs daily goals and reflection groups
Maintains Dayroom and completes patient rounds - doing 15 and 30 minute checks
Has completed PMDB or its equivalent