Summary

The Extended Care Certified Nursing Assistant is a key member of the Community Living Center treatment team. The role of the NA is to perform a very wide range of resident personal care - diagnostic services - treatment and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis in a short stay rehabilitation or long-term care ward. Extended Care serves the Community Living Centers at Menlo Park and Livermore as well as Sub-Acute and Hospice at Palo Alto.

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: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in both spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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 of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA and may also meet in 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)
• 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 or Education or Training
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant: Experience
• 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 - Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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
• 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 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) 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
• AND -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 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/81 - Part II - Appendix G46.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.For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05 .

Duties

• The incumbent is a member of the interdisciplinary team and supports recreational activities on the unit
• Major duties include - but may not be limited to: Assists with admissions - transfers - discharges - postmortem care and nursing care procedures specific to the ward
• Assists with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) including: bathing - showering - shaving - grooming - toileting - feeding - ambulating - weighing - and positioning residents with prescribed physical limitations
• Teaches and guides residents in the development of cleanliness and sound health practices in all aspects of daily living
• Feed and assists residents during meals
• Observes aspiration precautions
• Alert to special dietary needs and takes action according to the resident's diagnosis and behavior
• Supports and reinforces diet instructions such as those given to diabetics and others on special diets and restrictions
• Obtains and records vital signs and intakes and outputs - and empty foley bags as needed
• Uses skills and knowledge of basic normal versus abnormal vital signs to alert the Registered Nurse and adapt resident care activities
• Observes Infection Control Policies and Procedures Assists with the transferring and transporting of residents to test/procedures via gurneys and wheelchairs
• Uses knowledge of individual special interest and skills in guiding and motivating the resident
• Assists in performing selected rehabilitation techniques such as range of motion - speech retraining - with the ultimate goal of residents return to active community living
• Adheres to Close Observation/Suicide Precaution Policy and Procedures when caring for residents who are deemed high risk
• Performs diagnostic tests within their scope of practice and training - including fingerstick blood glucose and bedside EKG
• Gives meaningful instructions and explanations to resident regarding purposes of special diagnostic tests and procedures
• Administers treatments such as foley care and bowel care
• Uses the SBAR format when communicating vital information and/or changes of condition
• Work Schedule: Various tours based on unit needs Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 640_08790F - 640_08791F - 640_08792F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized