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Summary Nursing Assistant with Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, supports STRIDE (assisted early mobility for hospitalized older veterans) is an evidence-based, inpatient supervised walking program and a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Diffusion of Excellence Gold Status Practice designed to decrease functional decline for older adults during and after hospitalization. This position assigned to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. Responsibilities Nursing Assistant with Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, supports STRIDE (assisted early mobility for hospitalized older veterans) is an evidence-based, inpatient supervised walking program and a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Diffusion of Excellence Gold Status Practice designed to decrease functional decline for older adults during and after hospitalization. This position assigned to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. Immobility is prevalent for many adult patients during their hospital stays. Hospitalized adult patients spend over 95% of their time in beds or chairs, even though fewer than 5% of these individuals have physician orders for bed rest. This immobility can be particularly problematic for older adults. Approximately 30% to 60% of older adults lose some degree of functional independence during a hospital stay. This may subsequently lead to post-acute care and long-term institutionalization, with longer-term complications. Among patients over the age of 70 discharged from the hospital with a new Activities of Daily Living disability, fewer than one-third recovered to their baseline level of function one year after discharge, and rates of death and nursing home placement were also high. Discharge of patients from hospitalization to post-acute care facilities has also contributed to increased health care spending costs. Duties: The STRIDE Nurse Assistant provides supervised walking sessions for Veterans cleared for participation in the STRIDE program and offers patient education on the benefits of mobility and whole health. The Nurse Assistant should have the knowledge and skills required to include : Knowledge of relevant background literature about the consequences of patient immobility during hospitalization and the limited availability of mobility programs in U.S. hospitals. Mobility is key for preventing skin breakdown, decreasing respiratory complications, improving strength and aerobic capacity, improving mental outlook, and reducing length of stay. Understand the need for a clinical program like STRIDE to increase mobility and improve outcomes for older adults while they are in the hospital and after discharge. Knowledge of safe patient handling and mobility principles and the safe use of mobility equipment and devices. The STRIDE Nurse Assistant supports implementation of STRIDE through program referrals and educates inpatient providers on STRIDE and the purpose of the referrals. This STRIDE Nurse Assistant provides direct care to STRIDE patients and therefore needs to be aware of a patient's enrollment in STRIDE and potential safety concerns. The STRIDE Nurse Assistant delivers the supervised walking component of STRIDE, and assists the RN to ensure current STRIDE patients listed on the board are up to date. The STRIDE Nurse Assistant meets with nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and walking staff to determine communication methods for identifying, evaluating, and walking STRIDE patients and determines any additional resources needed for STRIDE to include stop watches, rolling ruler, STRIDE room clips, STRIDE staff badges, vitals machine, patient education and marketing materials Work Schedule: 7:30 AM- 4:00PM Monday- Friday Compressed/Flexible: Per Agency Policy Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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 completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements Education or training Training: (1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR,(2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,(3) 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. 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). 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, Nurse Assistant experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nurse 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. 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. OR 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (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 .And 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 Nurse Assistants 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. 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) 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 Nurse Assistants 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: 05 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5. Physical Evaluation : Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling and pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking and standing up to 8 hours; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; hearing aid permitted. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.