Nursing Assistant (Med-Surg) at Fargo

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 919598

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  

Note:  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-4 to GS-5.  The Selecting Official will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

 

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

 

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top

The incumbent is a member of the nursing teamworking a rotating tour of duty on Medical-Surgical floor. Observes theneed for and provides appropriate and timely routine patient care includingADLs, transport, vital signs, dietary, and other care according to the nursingcare plans and as assigned by the Head Nurse/Charge Nurse with supervision, consultingthe Registered Nurse for direction and evaluation when appropriate. Focus is ontasks as prioritized by the nursing team.  Helps establish treatment goalsand provides the personalized care necessary to meet those goals. Establishes atherapeutic relationship with patients and families.  Observes, reports,and records patient condition, patient interactions, patient teaching andsubtle changes to the patients status in response to treatment and procedures.Acts with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient contact that isappropriate to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturationneeds of adult (18-64) and senior adult (65+) patients.

WORK SCHEDULE: Rotating day/PM (1:00PM - 9:30PM) shifts and rotating weekend and holidays. 

POSITION TITLE/PD#:  Nursing Assistant/PD#40029-0

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:  Certified Nursing Assistant
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizenship 

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
GS-4 Qualifications - Have at least six months of general experience that demonstrates your ability to learn and perform nursing care duties, to deal successfully with people, and to be adaptable to the work situation.  Additionally, I have six months of specialized experience equivalent to a GS-03 grade level in the federal service performing non-professional nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home or other medical patient care facility, or as a home health aid.  Examples of creditable specialized experience includes: nonprofessional nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other medical, nursing, or patient care facility, or in such work as that of a home health aide, performing duties such as (1) providing personal nursing care such as providing pre- and post-operative care, (2) support duties for diagnostic and technical treatment procedures, such as setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus, (3) caring for mentally ill patients, including observing, recording, and reporting changes in their behavior, and providing reassurance and encouragement, (4) assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients. (This experience must be well documented in your resume or application package.)
-OR-
Successfully completed a two year degree program in an accredited community colege, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for a psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technician. This education must have been obtained in an accredited vocational, junior college, college or university.  NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.
-OR-
A combination of experience as described above and education above the high school level as described above. NOTE:  To combine education and experience, first determine how much of the qualifying experience and education you have, as a percentage of what is required for each.  Add the percentages together, and if the total is 100% or more, then the combined education and experience is qualifying for the position.  EXAMPLE:  the applicant has 6 months of specialized experience and 6 semester hours of college (in directly related courses).  That means the applicant has 50% of the required one year of experience and 67% of the education required to substitute for education.  The total qualifying experience and education add up to 117%.  The applicant can combine his or her experience to qualify for the position.  NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.
 
GS-5 Qualifications - Have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 level or an equivalent level of responsibility that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of creditable specialized experience includes those described in specialized experience for GS-4 above, and observes patients for appropriate oxygen administration and performs pulse oximeter readings; assists nurse or provider with wound care; performs passive range of motion (PROM) as ordered, applies continuous passive motion (CRM), and ensures anti-tip bars are applied to wheelchairs as indicated; based on competency, performs EKGs on the patient care unit; and assists in monitoring and documentation of restraints as directed. (This experience must be well documented in your resume or application package.)
-OR-
Successfully completed a (4) four year post high school degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, college or university in practical nursing or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position (Transcript Required).
-OR-
A combination of experience as described above and education above the high school level as described above. NOTE:  To combine education and experience, first determine how much of the qualifying experience and education you have, as a percentage of what is required for each.  Add the percentages together, and if the total is 100% or more, then the combined education and experience is qualifying for the position.  EXAMPLE:  the applicant has 6 months of specialized experience and 6 semester hours of college (in directly related courses).  That means the applicant has 50% of the required one year of experience and 67% of the education required to substitute for education.  The total qualifying experience and education add up to 117%.  The applicant can combine his or her experience to qualify for the position.  NOTE: YOU MUST SUBMIT COPIES OF YOUR OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS.

Reference:  OPM General Qualification Standards, Nursing Assistant Series, 0621 at the following link:

http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/nursing-assistant-series-0621/

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; straight pulling intermittent hours; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking 3 hours; standing 3 hours; kneeling 1/4 hour; repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; specific visual correction to read fine print; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of color; hearing (aid permitted); mental/emotional stability; and no skin allergies preventing use of protective equipment. 

Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: North Dakota, City: Fargo, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.