Summary

This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services - Inpatient Nursing - Acute Care. 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).

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:

• U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only 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 [Experience or] Education or Training
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - (3) 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. 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 Determination: Nursing Assistant - GS-3 (Entry Level) Experiences and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Nursing Assistant - 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
• Nursing Assistant - 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Inpatient bedside CNA experience preferred
• 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-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
• 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
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Contributes to a safe - clean - & therapeutic environment for patients & staff by maintaining clean equipment - patient's rooms & ward areas
• 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 & simple dressings that do not require packing - irrigation - debridement - or medications
• Wrap stumps - irrigates & stabilizes ostomies - changes ostomy appliances & performs bowel & bladder training as outlined by treatment plan
• Observes PIV/CVC for redness - swelling - or pain & reports findings to RN
• Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene & the application of external catheters
• Assists with the rehabilitation of patients & in the prevention of deformities by correct position & assisting with activities of daily living to include ambulation
• Measures & records vital signs to include temperature - pulse - respirations - blood pressure & measuring height & weight
• Measures & records intake & output
• Recognizes overt abnormal signs & symptoms &/or changes in patients' condition & responds appropriately
• Self-directed in seeking out RN - Lead Nurse - or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information
• Observes & reports patient complaints - results of treatments performed - change in patient's condition - behavior &/or attitude
• Observes & reports both obvious & 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
• Utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System & Clinicomp/Essentris per policy
• Documentation is consistent - accurate - concise - & timely
• Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle & wrist restraints - Twice-as-Tough Restraints & padded side rails
• Reports abusive - aggressive - threatening behaviors & documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System
• Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics - use of mechanical devices
• Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving - lifting - or turning patients to prevent injury to patient - self or others
• Performs bladders scans - EKGs - & 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
• When indicated - assists RN by placing patients on telemetry monitoring
• Verifies proper patient & placement with telemetry technician
• Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive &/or not breathing
• Monitors patient's compliance & use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion & proper flow settings
• Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN
• Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices - such as hand washing & wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment
• Demonstrates safe work practices
• Work Schedule: 7:00am-7:30pm or 7:00pm-7:30am Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51162-A - 51163-A & 51164-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized