Nursing Assistant- 4South Med/Surg/Neuro/Oncology

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. The NA at also assumes a peer education/mentorship.

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: 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.) 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
• Experience or Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year of direct patient care experience as a Nursing Assistant on a Medical/Surgical (Med/Surg) unit
• Previous experience in caring for adult inpatients with complex medical or surgical needs
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team environment
• Previous experience in a VA setting is preferred but not required
• Selective Placement Factor: The incumbent must be able and willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of a 24/7 inpatient medical/surgical unit
• This includes availability for day - evening - night shifts - weekends - holidays - and mandatory overtime as required
• Candidates who are unable to meet this schedule flexibility requirement will not be considered for this position
• Quality Ranking Factor Section: Candidates with a proven track record in delivering high quality - Veteran-centered patient care - facilitating clear and compassionate communication - and contributing actively to a culture of safety are highly desired for this role on 4South
• Specifically - strong candidates will demonstrate: Ability to deliver patient-centered care with a focus on safety and adherence to best practices - as measured by positive patient outcomes or recognition (such as awards or commendations)
• Proven skill in effectively communicating with patients - families - and interdisciplinary staff - including experience with patient education and advocacy
• Experience in identifying and reporting patient safety concerns - and contributing to the development or implementation of measures that improve safety on an inpatient Med/Surg unit
• Prior involvement in unit or facility-based quality improvement projects related to patient care - communication - or safety
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 NA (a) 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 - (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• iii 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
• iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
• (a) 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 in subparagraph (c) below
• OR - (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs
• i 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
• ii 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
• iii 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 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-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• be able to navigate the facility - write and use a key board and telephone
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Employee will be required to assist with transferring/lifting/moving patients - pushing/pulling wheelchairs - gurneys/beds or equipment which may require - stooping - bending - kneeling - twisting - sitting lifting or carrying live weight up to 35 lbs
• and walking without restrictions
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility - use a keyboard - perform CPR (Bart trained) when necessary - and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions
• Reasonable accommodations may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  
  

Duties

• Duties are and not limited to: The NA may perform theses duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - or community living care - acute - sub-acute
• The NA will care for patients with acute to chronic conditions
• Also: 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
• ASSIGNED DUTIES FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for complex patients
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and acts accordingly by taking actions within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices - monitoring patients that are designated as at risk for harming themselves/others - or are at risk for wondering
• Actively participates in planning care with the RN
• Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as lift equipment - Range of Motion (ROM) - ambulation and assisting the patient out of bed to the chair
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient
• Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties
• Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison
• Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's
• Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
• Functions as a member of the unit base counsel
• Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes appropriate actions
• Work Schedule: Full Time
• 18:30 - 07:00 Nights
• Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized