Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Ambulatory Care Department is looking for staff interested in gaining experience in the specialty and who have high levels of flexibility, adaptability, and initiative. Additionally, interested candidates should be able to navigate change well, communicate effectively, be open to coaching, mentoring and feedback in an effort to provide the best support and customer service to the organization.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: GS-3 ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording veteran/resident observations. Performs reporting, communication and documentation in the computerized EHR, Caribou, Microsoft Teams, Outlook ) with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team. Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision of RN or LPN: (personal hygiene and grooming, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative aspects of care. Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assists with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Any additional tasks associated within the position description. GS-4 ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Observes patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. Communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. Any additional tasks associated within the position description. GS-5 ASSIGNED FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Demonstrates all competencies at the GS-3 and GS-4 skills level in addition to: Assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient setting. Communicates orally with veterans/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. Serves as a preceptor to new nursing assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting. Recognizes and reacts to emergent veteran/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance (example - recognizing the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.). Utilizes glucose monitoring machine, records reading and refers deviations to appropriate staff. Observes subtle changes in resident's condition and takes the appropriate action. Documents all care given and observes changes within the patient. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Performs nursing procedures within the scope of practice, according to policies and standard practice. Works on small group activities with patients/residents according to their treatment plan. Maintains a clean and safe environment. Initiates basic life support and takes appropriate action. Any additional tasks associated within the position description. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 0900-1730 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02014F ,02013F, 02012F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: Must possess six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, Have completed one full year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, Have 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 a GS-3. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS: GS-3 Level: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Level: 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 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED); AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 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; 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. Reference: For more infor…

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/.