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
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR, 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 Proficiency
• NAs 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: Experience Requirement: GS-03 Nursing Assistant: For GS-03 Entry Level consideration: None beyond the basic requirements
• Experience Requirement: GS-04 Nursing Assistant: (A) 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, (B) 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
• AND (C) 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
• Experience Requirement: GS-05 Nursing Assistant: (A) 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, (B) 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 (C) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-03 to GS-05.Preferred Experience: Nursing Assistant certification 1 year NA experience preferred Basic Life Support (BLS) certification References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2024 Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019, Part II, Paragraph 3, II-1, 1(a), A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical, cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required, and shall be completed prior to appointment, for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73, for Title 38 positions
• That the incumbent must obtain and maintain level 3 Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) while in the position
• The population of male and female patients served ranges from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult, age 65 and over
• Fayetteville NC VA Coastal Health Care System is a tertiary health care facility, providing acute medical, surgical, behavioral health, physical medicine and rehabilitation, geriatric, and primary care services predominately to veterans, but in special cases, includes active-duty military and civilian populations
• This position requires the following physical functional requirement: Moderate lifting, 15-35 pounds
• Light lifting, under 15 pounds
• Moderate carrying,15-35 pounds
• Light carrying, under 15 pounds
• Straight pulling, 1 hour
• Pushing, 1-3 hours
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Walking, 4 hours
• Standing, 2-7 hours
• Kneeling, 2 hours
• Repeated bending, 2 hours
• Climbing
• use of legs and arms
• Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Visual acuity: 20/40 DVA
• corrected
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing aid (permitted)
• Sitting, 8 hours
• Simple grasping, 2-4 hours
• Fine manipulation, including keyboarding, 4-6 hours
• Twisting, 2 hours
• Mental and emotional stability
• In addition, the incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or during patient 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, and be able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Preferred Experience: 1 year NA experience preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.