Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families - caregivers - and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Education or Training: Must possess six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - Have completed one full year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Have completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for a GS-3. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) In addition to meeting the basic requirements - you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Level: 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 psychology - psychiatric - or operating room technicians (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)
• AND In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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 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
• 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 In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to a GS-5. Physical Requirements: Walking - bending - stooping - and lifting in the direct care of patients
• some extended periods of sitting and/or standing.

Duties

• This position is located in the GEC (Geriatrics and Extended Care) Division/Community Living Center - on the 9CN Unit
• Heroes' Corner (9CN) is an 18-bed Palliative Care/Hospice Unit
• The Nursing Staff provides high quality patient-centered care to our Veterans and their families
• Collaborative care is provided and supported at end-of-life as well as supportive care while Veterans are receiving Palliative chemotherapy and/or radiation
• Our Nursing staff focuses on management of symptoms including pain - provision of psychosocial and spiritual support - and the application of comfort measures as an alternative to aggressive treatments
• Major Duties: Personal patient care including bathing - feeding - grooming - laundry and mobilizing with demonstration of skills which reflect the needs of the older adult Appropriate support duties i.e. - patient centered care - proper implementation of policies and procedures - use of good body mechanics - and assist in application and operation of specialized functional equipment Support and participates in patient improvement/safety efforts Support duties for treatment services such as specimen collection and facilitating attendance at scheduled therapies Treatment duties such as finger sticks - bladder scan - mobility devices and restorative care Integrates professional communication and excellent customer service when dealing with all internal and external customers
• Work Schedule: Full-time - 3:30 PM-midnight - with weekend and Federal holiday rotation required Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement): Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional