Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, AR

21h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant is a member of the nursing care team who assists licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs, ranging from predictable to unpredictable requirements. This position is at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The full performance level is GS-05, and applicants may be selected at GS-03 to GS-05.

The Nursing Assistant performs activities of daily living and provides care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The role includes caring for Veterans with acute and chronic conditions, providing direct care to complex patients, monitoring and documenting condition changes and intake and output, performing procedures within scope of practice, and communicating observations to the treatment team. The Nursing Assistant also supports patient independence, participates in care planning and group activities, maintains a clean and safe environment, mentors other Nursing Assistants, and responds to emergencies within the assigned role.

The work schedule is 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., with rotating weekends and holidays; the schedule may change based on facility needs. The work is performed in an office/clinic setting and can involve handling several tasks at once in stressful situations. This is not a virtual or telework position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience; one year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year.
• For GS-4 qualification, one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills; alternatively, successful completion of two years of education above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or an appropriate field of study.
• For GS-4, demonstrate ability to provide patient or resident care and contribute to care plans and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and report deviations or problems promptly; properly use equipment and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5 qualification, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities; alternatively, completion of a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergencies while awaiting assistance.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding, provide acceptable identification, meet applicable Selective Service requirements, and complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Meet the physical demands of the assignment, which may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; use personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing when required.

Nice To Haves

• One year of Mental Health and/or VA experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform activities of daily living and provide care contributing to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Care for patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions, including providing direct care to complex Veterans.
• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Observe subtle changes in patients’ or residents’ condition, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the Nursing Assistant’s assigned role.
• Document care, observations, responses, and patient condition in appropriate records and formats.
• Respond to patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document intake and output, and report deviations in a timely and accurate manner.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Conduct small-group activities according to patient or resident treatment plans.
• Respect patient autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Participate in treatment planning and treatment team meetings, and provide patient information for care planning.
• Use equipment to promote self-care.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants and orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Manage patient behavior and intervene or request assistance from other health care team members.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action in emergencies.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child eligibility, and monthly limits.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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