This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services - Inpatient Post-Surgical/Rehab (K3). The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN). 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. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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. 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. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12, 2015 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Preferred experience: Inpatient hospital acute care, post-surgical, and/or inpatient acute rehab experience. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS05. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard 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. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments. In addition to the aforementioned duties, it may involve moving equipment/objects in excess of 40lbs. The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. ["Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Performs and fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe and effective patient care with the appropriate level of training. All tasks, assignments, and activities will be under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a RN. Contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by maintaining clean equipment, patient's rooms and 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 and simple dressings that do not require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates and stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances and performs bowel and bladder training as outlined by treatment plan. Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene and the application of external catheters. Measures and records vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and measuring height and weight. Measures and records intake and output. Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information. Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient's condition, behavior and/or attitude. Observes and reports both obvious and 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 (CPRS) and Clinicomp/Essentris per policy. Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle and wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints and padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive, threatening behaviors and documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS). At the RN's direction, initiates Code Yellow as necessary. Assists with the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients according to medical center or nursing service policies. Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions. 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. Assists in supervising patients in transfer activities, personal hygiene, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and in preventative and rehabilitative aspects of care. Follows ECHCS and nursing service policies and procedures for accurately documenting personal belongings and securing patients' belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures, hearing aids, eyes, and limbs. Performs bladders scans, EKGs, and 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 and placement with telemetry technician. Changes telemetry batteries in Philips IntelliVue MX40 as requested by RN or telemetry technician. Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive and/or not breathing. Monitors patient's compliance and use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion and proper flow settings. Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity principles by supporting the facility's Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Programs. Interacts with patients and other employees in accordance with facility policies by professionally executing assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with the guidelines. Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Demonstrates safe work practices. Complies with safety rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection. Promptly reports all accidents to RN, Lead Nurse, Charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Various tours of duty Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51164-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
