Summary

The Nursing Assistant working for the Resource Float Pool will provide care to Veterans in multiple clinical areas. This will include possible one on one observation to Veterans identified with mental health crisis - Suicidal Ideation - Homicidal Ideation - or at high risk for injury due to altered mental status.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) b
• 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. c
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• d
• English Language Proficiency
• Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS a
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Practice
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice
• (2) Quality of Experience
• To be creditable - Nursing Assistant experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference - or through other independent means
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a Nursing Assistant is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a Nursing Assistant employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• b
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• (1) GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) (a) Experience [and] Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• (2) GS-4 Nursing Assistant (a) Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 - (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 resident's 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
• (d) Assignment 1
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 Nursing Assistants are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 Nursing Assistants or other healthcare professionals
• 2
• In this role - the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants - 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 Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded Nursing Assistants - or other healthcare professionals
• (3) GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) (a) 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 - (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated 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 Nursing Assistants 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
• (d) Assignment
• This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• Nursing Assistants 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
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• Preferred Qualifications Certified Nursing Assistant Level II Hospital Acute Care Nursing Assistant Experience within the last 2 years Demonstrated use of computerized electronic medical record charting and data entry Long Term Care of Adult Geriatric patients Demonstrated successful care of the Psychiatric Acute Patient

Duties

• The assigned areas for the nursing assistant working for the Resource Unit are the 4 Medicine and Surgical Units supporting 25 beds each for patients pre-and post-surgery - dialysis care - cancer care and other chronic acute medical admissions
• The Emergency Department which is one of the busiest level 3 facilities nationwide with 27 beds and a 4 bed Psychiatric acute care unit placed for Mental Health Emergency Care
• The Intensive Care Units are Surgical - Medical and Cardiac with occasional needs for close observation with falls risk patients who may not be aware of the surroundings due to sedation or medical disease process
• The final area of service would be to our Community Living Area for the Long-Term Care Residents or Veterans needing End of Life Care - Rehab or Respite Care
• In addition - the staff will be assigned to provide the full range of Nursing Assistant duties on one of the above units - if/when the need for close observation is not present
• Major responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to the following: Providing patient care such as feeding - bathing - dressing - positioning - transferring Obtaining vital signs and capillary blood glucose results
• Documentation of care and patient education Performing procedures such as enemas - wound care - tube feedings and suctioning
• Applying creams - lotions - and administering other approved medications under the supervision of the nurse
• Assisting with examinations and medical procedures such preparing and positioning patient - obtaining equipment and supplies
• Performing as a sitter to observe patients when necessary for suicide prevention - fall reduction - and risk of harm to self/other
• Setting up equipment such as suction equipment - oxygen - cooling blankets - etc PHYSICAL EFFORT: The position requires performance of work which involves heavy lifting and carrying of 45 pounds and over - repetitive pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulder - walking - standing - bending - kneeling and the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• It also requires the use of safe patient handling equipment
• WORKING CONDITIONS: The work is performed inside areas working around machinery with moving parts - working with hands in water
• Incumbent will at times work alone and closely with others
• Work Schedule: Day/Evening/Night (12 hour and 8 hour tours with rotating weekends) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required