The primary purpose of this position is to perform a wide range of patient care, diagnostic services, treatment, monitoring activities of daily living and charting for the units throughout the hospital. **This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 19, 2022.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be place a 2 week out date 2022. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.** 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. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant 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). All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-3 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: 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-5 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. 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). 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 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients. ["Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment, instruments and monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN. Notifies RN of results and ensures original results are made part of the permanent record. Maintain administrative and clinical files. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed. Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting and eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations. Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Obtains release forms. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of clients receiving medical care. Observes, documents, and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, appearance, vital signs and/or changes in the patients' condition that may be related to medications, sensory distortions or medical conditions. Reports reactions /responses to treatment. . Delivers meals and /or snacks to patients and assists as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding and assisting patients as needed. Accompanies/escorts patients on activities, appointments, treatments etc. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures. Assists patients with adjusting simple supportive equipment. Assists the professional nurse and medical staff with specialized procedures. Performs more extensive, complex procedures, ex: dressing changes, insertion of foley catheter. Receives requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets requests or instructions from medical or health care personnel. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures in accordance with Nursing Procedure Grid. Employee understands and carries out the request made by the health care professional or seeks assistance for uncommon, unique, or new procedures. Demonstrates acceptable behavior as a role model for patient behavior. Encourages patient and family to actively participate in the individualized treatment plan. Encourages positive patient family relationships. Teaches patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care. Provides specific health information based on the patients' condition, including facility health promotion programs. Gives patient and family after-care instructions. Conducts patient meetings and groups. Utilizes a variety of treatment approaches to promote recovery on a one-to-one and group interaction level. Follows designated charting techniques to post patient charts that provide an outline or summary of patients' care. Documents pertinent information including current health status and subtle changes in patients' status. Maintains patient and clinical records from admission to discharge. Provides personal patient care,and educating patients on pre-testing and post procedure activities. Documents patients' physical and emotional status and response to nursing interventions, using the problem oriented medical record format. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, to include, night, weekends, holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:53340O, 53341O, 53342O Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
