Nursing Assistant- Hospice

SummaryThe Hospice Nursing Assistants (NA) is at full performance level with fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned terminally ill and end-of-life clients while developing technical skills. Advocates and coordinates for interventions to improve quality of life - symptom management - family support - and end-of-life issues. Follows procedures per established policies and guidelines. Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyExperience or Education or TrainingSix months of general experienceExperience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NAOR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupationOR - 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 GS-3. English Language ProficiencyNAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3jMay qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and EducationNone beyond the basic requirements(b) AssignmentsIndividuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervisedGS-4 NA (a) ExperienceOne 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 treatmentsOR (b) EducationSuccessful 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 techniciansAND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residentsii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manneriii 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 - etciv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionalsGS-5 NA (Full Performance Level) (a) ExperienceOne 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 assignmentIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) belowOR - (b) EducationSuccessful 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 degreeAND (c) Demonstrated KSAsi 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 Nurseii Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelThis 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 settingiii Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistanceFor example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etcPreferred Experience: 1-2 years long-term care and/or hospice experienceReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterityThis position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushingTransferring patients and objects may be requiredThe incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive proceduresThe incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needsThe NA must complete any annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employmentThese physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.DutiesAssigned Duties - Functions - and Responsibilities Assists the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse in the provision of patient care by meeting the patient's nursing needsIn all patient interactions - the nursing assistant respects the integrity and dignity of the individual patientCompletes basic technical nursing procedures (in accordance with classroom instruction and correct clinical technical) for providing and monitoring direct patient care typical of the assigned unitAlso - participates in therapeutic individual and group activitiesobserves for changes in mental and/or physical statusand demonstrates correct interventions to restore or maintain patient welfare and safetyProvides nursing care to veterans requiring a 1:1 attendantFloats to other clinical patient care areas as needed to maintain safe patient staffing levelsProvides a range of Veteran care and contributes to the completion of the nursing care planProvides direct care for complex Veteransassists with ADLs (bathingtoiletingambulationfeedingpositioningoral hygiene care)Assists in transporting/escorting Veterans to appointments - tests etcMakes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.ebehavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etcand takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned roleDocuments care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or formsResponds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personalMeasures and documents patient intake and output - takes vital signs - measures height and weight - reports deviations timely and accuratelyRecognizes the Veterans autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatmentActively participates in Treatment Planning MeetingsEnters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formatsParticipates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the VeteranRemoves defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of dutiesResponsible for maintaining PMDB training and utilizing PMDB principles and techniques when necessaryResponds to Code Red when assigned and assist as directedResponsible for maintaining BLS and initiating and responding to emergency codesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Various hours - (rotating days/holidays/weekends) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized