Summary

This position demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide care to Veteran patients within the Acute Care Service Line. This service line cares for patients admitted to an inpatient medical-surgical inpatient hospital unit (2 West - 5 East or 6 West) at VA Puget Sound - Patient Care Service Line. Patients may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions - diminished cognitive functioning - including dementia - mild to severe disability - or receiving palliative or hospice care.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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-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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3: NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4: NA 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
• Assignment: Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other health care professionals
• In this role - the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals
• GS-5: NA (Full Performance 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
• 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):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
• Assignment: This is the full performance level for NAs
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• 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: Heavy lifting (45pounds and over)
• Straight pulling
• Pushing
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated bending
• Ability to distinguish basic color
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Visual Acuity 20/30 corrected
• Mental and Emotional Stability

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide care to Veteran patients within the Acute Care Service Line
• This service line cares for patients admitted to an inpatient medical-surgical inpatient hospital unit (2 West - 5 East or 6 West) at VA Puget Sound - Patient Care Service Line
• Patients may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions - diminished cognitive functioning - including dementia - mild to severe disability - or receiving palliative or hospice care
• Functions: Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients Ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet Adheres to responsibility of timely maintenance of all education required Supervises patients and can mentor other NAs in personal hygiene - rest and eating
• Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance Helps patients in and out of bed - and with mobile devices Instructs and assists patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living Contributes to a safe - clean - clutter-free - and therapeutic environment for patients and staff Follows Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions
• Maintains privacy of patient and staff Performs and can mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN - assignment - or written care plan - to include management and operation of oxygen tanks
• Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise - turning and positioning - ambulation - and other routine care procedures Prepares patients for tests - examinations - treatments and for surgery
• Collect's specimens such as urine - sputum and stool Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary - including fire and disaster
• Demonstrates safe body mechanics Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status - reporting unusual changes to the RN Report's information obtained from patients and or family and participates in developing a plan of care Assists with admission - discharge - and transfer of patients Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training Knowledge of safe handling practices (i.e. - precautions and measures for handling of hazardous waste) working with patients who receive Hazardous Medications and the disposal of bodily fluids contaminated with Hazardous Medications including knowledge of unit radiation safety precautions
• Knowledge and skill of medical terminology and observational skills sufficient to report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care
• Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles - procedures - equipment - and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients
• Knowledge of skills sufficient to assist in the teaching of patients in activities of daily living
• Knowledge of basic human body structure - function - diseases - and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to his/her level
• Work Schedule: Day shift 7:30am - 8:00pm for 12hr
• shift and 7:30am - 4:00pm 8hr
• shift
• Monday - Friday - Rotating weekends and Holidays
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized