Nursing Assistant

Summary5S is a 13-bed unit comb9ined with 5W 27 remote telemetry and epilepsy monitoring beds. The unit cares for a wide range of patients - including oncology - stroke - COPD - complex wounds - dementia - and respiratory infections. The unit operates with teamwork and collaboration between the supervisors - nurses - and nursing assistants. We currently have multiple vacancies for nursing assistant positions in this unit. Apply today if you are a caring individual.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 PolicyExperience or Education or Training Six months of general experienceExperience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NAOR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupationOR - 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 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).Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidatesGS-3Experience and EducationNone beyond the basic requirementsGS-4ExperienceOne 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 treatmentsOR - EducationSuccessful 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 techniciansAND 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/residentsAbility to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely mannerAbility 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 - etcAbility to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionalsGS-5 (Full Performance Level) ExperienceOne 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 assignmentIn addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSA belowOR - EducationSuccessful 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 degreeAND 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 NurseAbility to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnelThis 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 settingAbility 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 - etcMay 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-05The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05Physical 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 NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive proceduresThe NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe NA Must be a Mature - Flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situation - 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 will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.DutiesDuties listed but not limited to: Maintains positive - therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients - families and /or significant others utilizing communication skillsProvides direct care for complex veterans Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.ebehavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etcand acts accordingly within the NA's assigned roleReports patient statues to the appropriate nursing staff and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established proceduresDocuments care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools performApplying external urinary devices (EUDs)performing sterile intermittent/indwelling catheterizations (IC)irrigating indwelling cathetersperforming routine catheter carePerforming unsterile wound dressingsPerforming routine nursing care tasks - including - but not limited to collecting basic patient dataobtains and records vital signsobtains specimensperforms suctioningphlebotomyand administers oxygenAdditionally - the Nursing Assistant institutes emergency and safety measuresMaintains a safe - clean - and therapeutic environment for patients by performing such activities as checking equipment - assessing safety hazards - straightening procedural and storage areas - cleaning stretchers and wheelchairs between patient usesSends equipment that is broken - torn - or needing maintenance to designated areasParticipates in shift reports - safety huddles - and contributes with information for the development and review of the nursing care planCompetent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient's/resident's needs for: Personal Hygiene Physical Comfort Activity - Exercise - Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Turning/positioning Work Schedule: Day and Night 12 hours rotatingPay: 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: 104 hours of annual paid time offer per year (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 experienceParental 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 #:70232F - 70233F - 70234F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available