Nursing Assistant (Surgical ICU)

Summary

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration - Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6). VA Medical Center - in Nursing Service - Asheville - NC. This position is responsible for providing care to patients in a variety of settings. The purpose of the work is to provide nursing care that covers personal care - diagnostic support procedures - treatment procedures - patient charting - and reinforcing patient teaching.

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
• 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-03
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-03: Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Individuals assigned as GS-03 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised GS-04: 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: 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
• GS-05: 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 - 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 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
• NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7405(a)(1)(D)
• See Part II - Chapter 3 - paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005.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 03 to 05
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• 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
• Preferred Experience: N/A 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: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• 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
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testings - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles
  
  

Duties

• The purpose of the work is to provide nursing care that covers personal care diagnostic support procedures - treatment procedures and patient charting
• This position will also provide individualized care according to established policies following the patient plan of care
• The work contributes to the standard of nursing care upon which further nursing care may be planned or provided by nurses
• This work impacts the treatment of the veteran population of this hospital - patient outcomes and potentially can decrease Duties include - but are not limited to: Works directly with patients and observes them on a 1:1 basis in an inpatient setting on a unit
• Assisting in the care of medical and surgical patients by supporting patient activities for daily living (ADLs)
• Report changes in patient's condition to the registered nurse - as well as the patient's acceptance and response to nursing care
• Operating equipment (Vital sign machines - EKGs - Bladder Scans - etc.)
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patient and families
• Perform procedures such as venipuncture - finger sticks - and wound dressings
• Monitor and chart patient status in compliance with applicable laws and local policies - and properly report any abnormal findings to designated Nurse or Medical staff Submits work orders for broken equipment - and properly stores and cleans equipment
• Contributes to a safe - clean - and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by cleaning equipment - furniture - and appliances - and patient care areas
• The nursing assistant performs and records a variety of duties that includes activities of daily living - body mechanics - nutrition - elimination and safety
• Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient
• Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy - handling and delivery to the laboratory
• Nursing assistant will maintain knowledge and skill to actively promote and provide infection control - carry out aseptic technique - and provide environmental safety - security and privacy of patients - and protection of privileged information
• Treat customers courteously and helpfully that indicates dignity and respect
• Responds in an accurate and timely manner to customer requests
• Displays a helpful - proactive attitude toward customers by answering questions and resolving problems to enhance customer satisfaction
• All other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8 & 12-hour day tours with weekend and holiday requirements Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized