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This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services/Inpatient Nursing. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN). 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. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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. 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: None beyond the basic requirements 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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. 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 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. Preferred Experience: Hospital experience 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 Demands: 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. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments. In addition to the aforementioned duties, it may involve moving equipment/objects in excess of 40lbs. The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes. 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. 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. ["Duties include but are not limited to: Performs and fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe and effective patient care with the appropriate level of training. All tasks, assignments, and activities will be under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a RN. Cares for patients with communicable diseases for which various isolations precautions may be required. Don the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution. Uses sterile techniques with treatments and simple dressings that do not require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates and stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances and performs bowel and bladder training as outlined by treatment plan. Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene and the application of external catheters. Assists with the rehabilitation of patients and in the prevention of deformities by correct position and assisting with activities of daily living to include ambulation. Performs range of motion activities. Measures and records vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and measuring height and weight. Measures and records intake and output. Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information. Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive and/or not breathing. Performs bladders scans, EKGs, and collects urine, sputum, MRSA Nares or stool specimens per the RN's direction. Reports all patient critical glucose measurements immediately to nurse responsible for patient's care. Observes PIV/CVC for redness, swelling, or pain and reports findings to RN. Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient's condition, behavior and/or attitude. Observes and reports both obvious and subtle changes in patient's physical condition or emotional status, e.g. signs of post-operative shock, hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory distress, aspiration of mucous, infiltration of IV, or acute behavior changes or unusual behavior. Assists with the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients according to medical center or nursing service policies. Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions. When indicated, assists RN by placing patients on telemetry monitoring. Verifies proper patient and placement with telemetry technician. Changes telemetry batteries in Philips IntelliVue MX40 as requested by RN or telemetry technician. Monitors patient's compliance and use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion and proper flow settings. Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN. Work Schedule: 7:00pm-7:30am Variable days Compressed/Flexible: Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51162-A, 51163-A, 51164-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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