Nursing Assistant - Patient Support Float Pool

Veterans Health Administration • Wichita, KS

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, is recruiting full-time and part-time Nursing Assistants for its Patient Support Float Pool. The Nursing Assistant works across outpatient, inpatient, home, or community living care settings and provides care to patients or residents with acute to chronic conditions. The position operates on various tours, including a listed schedule of 1100–2330. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full-performance grade is GS-5; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-5. This is a permanent federal position in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized.

Float Pool work may involve five hospital areas, including one-to-one observation of Veterans, the emergency department, intensive care unit, and medical-surgical areas. Nursing Assistants work as members of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff and other team members. Depending on grade and assignment, duties are performed under close supervision or under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse. Higher-grade assignments may involve more complex patient needs and peer education or mentorship.

Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education requirements for the grade. Basic qualification may be met through six months of general experience, one year of relevant education above high school, or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related training course of less than one year. Additional grade-specific qualifications apply. The position requires U.S. citizenship, proficiency in written and spoken English, and compliance with federal pre-employment, security, drug-screening, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements. Selected candidates must serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Basic qualification: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; or one year of education above high school with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course of less than one year. A qualifying VA grandfathering provision may also apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-4, either one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or relevant experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills; or two years of relevant post-high-school education. GS-4 candidates must also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 demonstrating relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities; or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or a bachelor's degree. GS-5 candidates must demonstrate the listed nursing-care, oral communication and preceptorship, and emergency response abilities.
• Applicants relying on education must use education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use, background/security investigation, online onboarding, and the required pre-employment identification process.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for Health Care Personnel.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Nice To Haves

• Previous hospital nurse aide experience is preferred.
• Float Pool experience across hospital areas, including one-to-one Veteran observation, the emergency department, intensive care unit, and medical-surgical areas, is relevant to the preferred experience.

Responsibilities

• Use glucose monitoring machines to collect and document readings.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others.
• Observe patients or residents, collect data, and report and record observations.
• Provide nursing care addressing hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, activity, exercise, and rest.
• Participate in group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, and other therapeutic groups.
• Apply proper body mechanics while caring for patients.
• Report patient observations to the RN and/or other members of the treatment team.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Safeguard patients' privacy and confidential information.
• Monitor patients according to required policies and procedures.
• Assist nursing staff and other care-team members in caring for patients in outpatient, home, community living, and acute, sub-acute, or chronic care settings.
• At applicable grade levels, assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse; recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• At the full-performance level, serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with orientation and overseeing or assessing their clinical practical experience.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED