Nursing Assistant (Intermittent)

This position is located in the Resource Center/Float Pool at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. The Nursing Assistant provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team in a health care setting: outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions while assisting lower graded Nursing Asst, Licensed Nurses, and other members of the care team.

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply CBST-13061296-26-TH. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant at this grade level is to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting lower graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team. The significant factor is that they provide care under minimal supervision, and are performing complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Reports patient observations to the LVN/RN and or other members of the treatment team. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies.

Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care provider. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, every 15 minute checks, and hourly rounding.

Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision.

Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/ resident treatment plan. Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings.

Work Schedule: will be discussed during the interview process 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 3:30 pm - 12:00am or 12:00am - 8:00am with rotational weekends, shifts and Holidays, subject to change based on facility needs Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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.

Functional Statements #: GS-3-580-02395-F Functional Statements #: GS-4-580-02396-F Functional Statements #: GS-5-580-02397-F

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. Experience or 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 Nursing Assistant; OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, (3). Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. d. English Language Proficiency.

Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance withVA 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 REQUIREMENTS. a.

Creditable Experience. (1) Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.

(2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. (3) Part-Time Experience.

Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. 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: Experience and Education. 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 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; 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. Preferred

Experience

1-3 years of Inpatient Nursing Unit experience & Certified Nursing Assistant 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-3 to GS-5. 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, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

You must be a U. S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon…