Nursing Assistant - CLC

SummaryThe Nursing Assistant (NA) at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) is assigned to provide care for an adult/geriatric patient population - ranging from the critically/acutely ill patient to the chronically/terminally ill long-term patients - including mental health patients. The incumbent's work area may be either on a ward setting and/or with patients in transit or while in other designated places.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEducation or TrainingOne year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupationCompletion 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. Physical RequirementsHeavy lifting (45 lbsand over)Heavy carrying (45 lbsand over)Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)Pushing (up to 8 hours)Reaching above shouldersUse of fingersboth hands requiredwalking (up to 8 hours)standing (up to 8 hours)kneeling (2 to 3 hours)repeated bending (up to 8 hours)both legs requiredhearing (aid permitted)English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3jMay 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)Preferred Experience: One year experience in either Acute Care or Long-Term Care Grade Determinations: GS-3 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirementsGS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field - 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 - 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 positionIn addition to the above - applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents2 Ability to observe patients/residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner3 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 etc4 Ability to communicate effectively with patient / residents - their families and other health professionalsGS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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 degreeIn addition the above - applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 Nurse2 Ability to communicate orally with patients/ residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelThis 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 setting3 Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistanceFor example: recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etcReferences: VA Handbook 5005 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 GS-3/4/5Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterityThis position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushingTransferring patients and objects may be requiredThe incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive proceduresThe incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needsThe NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employmentThese physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.DutiesNAs 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 - subacute or chronic states of illnessThe distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignment typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirementsNAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship roleAnd the following other duties as assignedUtilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff .- Provides direct care for complex veteransMakes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e. - behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etcand takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned roleDocuments care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms.- Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personalAdministers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning.- Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and AccuratelyPerforms nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devicesWorks on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.- Actively participates in Treatment Planning MeetingsUtilizes equipment to promote the veteran self -care - such as lift equipment - Hydro sound Tubs - and Veteran/Resident Wandering SystemEnters information about the residents' conditions in the chart in appropriate formatsParticipates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/residentRemoves defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of dutiesServes as the unit safe patient handling liaison and as preceptor and mentor to other NA'sOrients members of the health care team to the units as appropriateFunctions as a member of the unit base counselManages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care membersAppropriately initiates basic life support - takes actions appropriate actionWork Schedule: Full-time (Rotational shifts) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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)Pay Schedule: 001M - V0SOPaid 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) 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 positionFunctional Statement #: 60493-F - 60494-F - 60495-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized