Summary

Central Iowa VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Nursing Assistant assigned to the Inpatient Mental Health unit. The Nursing Assistant works as part of a team providing Veteran specific care for individuals who may be impacted by psychiatric - medical - and geriatric conditions. The Nursing Assistant performs a range of duties under the direction of the RN including personal care - diagnostic support procedures - treatments - charting and resident teaching.

Qualifications

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
• Experience - Education or Training: (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - (3) Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3. May 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)
• Note: If basing your qualifications on education - a copy of college transcripts showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation - or documentation showing completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant (e.g. - Nurse Aid Certificate) is required to verify you meet the basic education/training requirement
• While not required at the time of application - documentation may be required to receive further consideration
• Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard (March 12 - 2015) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• GRADE DETERMINATION: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 through GS-5. In addition to the basic requirements stated above - the qualification criteria outlined below must be met for each grade
• To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and -5 levels - your application must clearly demonstrate the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) described below GS-3 - Entry Level: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 - Developmental Level: Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• 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 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 resident's 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 - Full Performance Level: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs listed below
• 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 (transcripts required)
• AND Demonstrated 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 [NAs] 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 need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 05
• 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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination

Duties

• The NA provides direct patient care to patients requiring nursing care and observation on a regular and ongoing basis in an inpatient - CLC and/or outpatient setting
• Under the supervision of a Registered Nurse - Licensed Practical Nurse - or providers - the NA is accountable for adhering to the standards of care - standards of practice and maintaining competencies with role and responsibility - while adhering to VACIHCS policies and procedures
• Duties include but are not limited to: Personal Hygiene Tasks: bathing - oral care/denture care - nail care - shaving/hair care - groom - bed-making
• Interacts with patients and families - using communication skills such as observing - listening - reflection and identification of non-verbal messages to interact with patients
• Recognizes emergent situations - calls for help - initiates emergency procedures until help has arrived
• Uses personal protective equipment as needed/required
• Implement Suicidal and Homicidal Ideation precautions
• assisting in initiation of and monitoring of patient with seclusion/behavioral management as directed - with appropriate use of protective/restraint devices
• Maintains privacy and dignity of patients
• Performs - records and reports blood glucose testing
• Collects and delivers specimen collection
• Assists with orienting the patient/family to the unit routines and policies
• Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Work Schedule: This is a full-time position with a work requirement of 80 hours per biweekly pay period (12 and/or 8 hour shifts)
• Day or night shifts available
• Sunday-Saturday - 7:30am- 8:00pm & 7:30am- 4:00pm or 11:30pm - 8am & 7:30pm -8:00am - rotating weekends and holidays are required
• Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Central Iowa is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23)
• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.