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
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• Physical Requirements
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
• Pushing (up to 8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 8 hours)
• standing (up to 8 hours)
• kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• both legs required
• hearing (aid permitted)
• English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS- 5 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 assignments -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
• In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 nursing assistants 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
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health Substance Abuse or Correctional Facility Settings Previous Nursing Assistant 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 the GS 5
• Physical Requirements: It is VA policy to ensure that all selected applicants and employed personnel are physically, mentally and emotionally fit to perform the duties of the position to which assigned
• A pre-placement physical examination is required for all fulltime, part-time and intermittent employees identified by VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• The pre-placement physical examination shall be completed prior to appointment to determine the physical and mental fitness for candidates for appointment in VA
• The examination will be concerned with the mental and physical ability of the applicant to satisfactorily perform the duties of the proposed assignment and will include requisite laboratory and other screening as required by Federal regulatory agencies
• This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
• This position requires that you are able to lift at least 50 lbs
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on organizational needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual Influenza vaccination, TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.