Job Summary

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System is seeking a Nursing Assistant to provide basic care to patients with acute or chronic conditions in diverse settings. Responsibilities include assisting nursing staff, monitoring patient needs, supporting daily living activities, and ensuring a safe, supportive environment for Veterans. (This position will begin in Muskogee, transitioning to Tulsa once the new hospital opens)

Job Description

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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 - To qualify for employment as a VHA Nursing Assistant (NA), all applicants must meet the following basic requirements: Citizenship Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part. Experience or Education or Training Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant; OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. GRADE DETERMINATIONS - In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience or Education: 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; Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 residents' 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. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education: 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 Nursing Assistants 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 the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crises, etc. Preferred Experience: Home health aid/CNA experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear and distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. The role involves potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The Nursing Assistant (NA) may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may need to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during operative/invasive procedures. The NA may occasionally encounter patients who are combative due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The NA must be mature, flexible, and sensible, able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs. Completion of annual employee health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, is required as a condition of employment. These physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.