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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Nursing Assistant- Acute Care Near Bronx, NY

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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3 (Entry Level)
Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4
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;

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.


GS-5 (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.

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 (IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education);

AND

Demonstrated KSAs: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.

References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G47

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 3 - GS 5.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
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).

Responsibilities:

The Nursing Assistant performs and records basic and standardized nursing care, including:

1. Observes and performs personal nursing care duties and related support duties including feeding, bathing, lifting, turning, and repositioning, oral care, nail care, and related personal hygiene duties.
2. Verifies patient identification using two identifiers. Identifies patient before all procedures (e.g. specimen collections, vital signs, EKG, etc.).
3. Takes vital signs, report results to the primary Registered Nurse (RN) and records results in the medical record.
4. Performs hourly rounds and documents findings as per protocol
5. Reports changes in patient condition to the RN
6. Collects blood, urine and sputum specimens; immediately labels the specimens at the patient bedside
7. Performs phlebotomy for specimen collection, and labels specimen at the patient bedside. DO NOT DRAW BLOOD CULTURES.
8. Obtains electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) as directed by RN of MD; immediately gives print out to RN or MD
9. Set up of equipment for oxygen therapy as directed by the RN; teaches and reinforces the use of incentive spirometer with patients.
10. Set up telemetry monitoring equipment as directed by RN, if training and competency documented.
11. Performs telemetry monitoring; competency must be documented
12. Empties and changes colostomy bags as needed for established colostomies
13. Transports all specimen types to the laboratory as per protocol.
14. Maintains and stores medical supply items and equipment.
15. Places clean linen in proper storage area. Collects and bags soiled linen for the laundry.
16. Fills water pitchers and gives ice water to patients at the beginning of the shift and as needed.
17. Distributes and collects food trays. Feeds patients or assists with meals as needed.
18. Weighs patients, report results to RN and enters result into the medical record.
19. Records input of fluid and food and output of liquids and stool; reports result to the RN and documents in the medical record.
20. Transports or accompanies patients for procedures/tests to and from internal departments/clinics and external facilities.
21. Performs/assists with post-mortem care, adheres to established protocol
22. Assists with sitz bath as directed by the RN.
23. Safely ambulates patients as directed by the RN
24. Performs and assists RN with inventory of patient belongings and documents in the medical record.
25. Observes and reports breakage and loss of equipment. Enters electronic work orders and notifies RN and supervisor
26. Takes emergency measures, calls for Nurse and/or Physician and assists with resuscitation procedures in medical emergencies within scope of practice.
27. Performs other duties as assigned, normally of a related nature and within scope of practice



Work Schedule: 12:00am-8:00am
Functional Statement #:21Z53-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary