The Nursing Assistant works in the Community Living Center area and functions as an integral member of the Interdisciplinary Medical Team to provide healthcare which maximizes the quality of life for our elders. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital. Some positions require rotation of tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor. 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. 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: BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: Must possess one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, OR completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant. (TRANSCRIPTS or CERTIFICATION REQUIRED) In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements: GS-3 Level:None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Level: 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 residents' 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 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 AND In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. 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: 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. The employee may be exposed to infected and/or contaminated patient materials and may be required to don protecting clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations; able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Preferred Experience: Rehab and Geriatric experience ["Major Duties included but not limited to: a. Responsibility of assisting residents in Rehabilitative/Restorative and Maintenance Nursing Care functions with the purpose of facilitating optimal capability for and with the resident. b. Performs all activities within accordance of the directing discipline orders. c. Provide hands on support for residents in: - progressive mobility programs such as ambulation, bed mobility, and transferring; also includes strengthening and endurance exercise and range of motion (ROM). - application of prosthetic equipment and splint and brace education and use, - cognitive re-orientation, - dining and eating programs, - communication programs, - dressing and grooming programs, - scheduled toileting and bladder retraining program. d. Documents activities in accordance within CLC guidelines and policies. e. Attends care plan conferences as appropriate. f. Assists therapists with treatments according to facility policies and procedures. g. Performs restorative/rehabilitation and maintenance program procedures and activities as ordered. h. Communicates progress and/or setbacks to all disciplines on a weekly basis. i. Teaches residents regarding rehabilitations/restorative techniques as directed by the discipline. j. Active member of the Restorative Care Team. Participates in regularly scheduled in-service programs related to restorative and maintenance topics. k. Performs comprehensive nursing care to long-term residents who typically present with complex medical and psychiatric conditions and related functional and/or cognitive deficits. Deficits require the resident to receive partial or maximal assistance with the activities of daily living. Communication and Documentation Duties a. Participates in nursing care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings, using good judgment in identifying and reporting patient problems, planning individual care, and discharge planning. b. Suggests feasible means to meet patient needs. Serves as a member of the treatment team in motivating patients and redirecting their behavior toward treatment plan goals. c. Uses the approved method to record and report patient care including obvious physical and/or behavioral changes of patients, vital signs, as well as less obvious and more complex changes such as non-verbal cues: e.g., early signs of skin breakdown, unusual drooling from the mouth; changes in sensorium in the medical record. d. Maintains flow sheets and patient records, documenting patient care as per expected standards. e. Assists the professional nurse and/or other staff in resident/family teaching activities (i.e., ADL, bowel and bladder training, urine test, resident education programs, proper nutrition, postural drainage, breathing exercises, etc.). f. Instructs/assists in special teaching programs such as scheduled toileting, ambulation, dressing/grooming, range of motion, splinting/application braces, bed mobility, transfer, eating/swallowing, dining, communication, amputation/prosthetic care, etc., as assigned. g. Explains to residents/visitor's treatment programs, policies, and regulations, which impact on nursing care. h. Provides information to the resident about his/her disease and community resources available; discusses resident's behavior with him/her and provides and environment in which the resident may practice new coping and social skills. i. Teaches/encourages good health and safety practices. j. Assists with orientation of new employees, students, etc. Safety and Supportive Duties a. Maintains a safe patient environment, recognizing hazards and taking corrective action. b. Participates in the orientation of newly assigned personnel. c. Assists in stocking, replacing and rotating of supplies. d. Equipment- able to set up, upkeep, clean, operate, perform minor maintenance and properly store equipment. e. Adheres to safe resident care practices. Maintains a safe, clean environment in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies, takes action to correct less obvious hazards, and makes suggestions for improving current equipment and environment. f. Participates in the admission of patients by providing secure, reassuring milieu, orienting patients to the unit, checking them for contraband when indicated, and assisting the RN in implementing the nursing admission procedures. g. Provides close observation and supervision of patients who may be confused, disoriented, physically agitated, suicidal, or acutely ill. Intervenes therapeutically to prevent patient harm to self or others. h. Makes occupied and unoccupied beds, and launder elder clothing, linen and other articles. i. Ensures elder's wear call bracelet and answers all calls. Work Schedule: Compressed Tours days/PM/nights 8 or 12hr with rotation to other shifts as needed, rotating weekends and holidays Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
