Nursing Assistant (Long Term Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Canandaigua, NY

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant works as a member of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff with preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care for patients and residents. Care may be provided in settings including outpatient, inpatient, home, community living care, acute, and sub-acute environments. The role serves patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions.

The Nursing Assistant provides personal and therapeutic care, observes and reports patient status, contributes to care planning, performs nursing procedures within the scope of practice, and helps protect patient privacy. The full-performance level is GS-05; selections may be made at grades GS-03 through GS-05. The work schedule is evenings, with some weekends and holidays. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, virtual work, and relocation assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic experience, education, or training requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year.
• For GS-04 consideration, meet the applicable experience or education requirements and demonstrate the required abilities to provide patient/resident care and contribute to care plans, observe and refer changes in condition, use equipment and supplies for basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communicate effectively.
• For GS-05 consideration, meet the applicable experience or education requirements and demonstrate the required abilities to assist with the full range of nursing care under an RN or LVN/LPN, communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams and personnel (including precepting new Nursing Assistants), and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Undergo required background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete the application requirements specified in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment at its conclusion.
• Meet physical requirements that include assisting with nursing care for patients with physical or behavioral problems, communicating with patients and care teams, and recognizing and responding to emergent care situations.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a positive therapeutic relationship with patients, families, and significant others, displaying respect for human dignity and using communication skills.
• Collect data through observation and report and record observations.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences and shift reports, contributing information to the development and review of nursing care plans.
• Provide care addressing personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity and exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative needs.
• Use proper body mechanics when caring for patients.
• Monitor veterans who may be at risk of harming themselves or others, follow established policies and procedures, and refer concerns appropriately to the charge nurse or another health care professional.
• Document care provided, observations, and patient responses on appropriate tools or forms.
• Perform nursing procedures within the scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures.
• Use equipment to promote veteran self-care.
• Respond appropriately to subtle changes in patients.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Safeguard patients' right to privacy and protect their information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed