Summary

James A Haley Veterans Hospital and Clinics has a vacancy for a Nursing Assistant within our Patient Safety (Sitter) Float pool. The Nursing Assistant aides in the delivery of patient care under the direct clinical supervision of the Registered Nurse. Direct care activities are delegated by the Registered Nurse. Direct care includes activities involving the care and nutrition of patients - provision of direct observation - and transportation of patients and documentation of those activities.

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:

• 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. Nursing Assistants 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4Experience
• 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
• GS-5 (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 KSA 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): 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
• 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)
• 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• 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 NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The NA must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019

Duties

• Major Duties of a Nursing Assistant may include but are not limited to: 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
• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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 authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:71960F - 71961F - 71962F