Nursing Assistant

Summary The Bruce W Carter Department of VAMC is looking for Nursing Assistants (NA) to work in Multiple Specialties for Nursing Service. These include: ED, Escort, Long Term Care, MH. The NA functions as a member of the nursing care team assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving community living care or who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. This is an Open Continuous Announcement. Responsibilities ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT PERM VA EMPLOYEES, OTHERS SHOULD APPLY TO CBTC 24-JC This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 05/21/2024. The initial cut-off for referral of eligible applications will be 03/04/2024. Eligible applications received after this date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur, as-needed until positions are filled. The Nursing Assistant provides nursing care to a variety of patients/residents of ages across the adult continuum to meet personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning and feeding; administering tube feeding via feeding pump to include changing administration sets, all the while explain procedures to patient/and or family. The NA provides nursing care, performs clinical procedures according to specialty, technical procedures and ancillary services for complex patient. The NA performs a variety of personal care or nursing care activities. The NA helps each patient attain optimal physical, physiological, emotional and social well-being. Other duties include but are not limited to: Ability to assist in nursing care to patients/Residents of ages across the adult continuum 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. Duties may also include transport activities (transfer of patients to and from procedures/units) and delivering lab specimens to laboratory. Responds appropriately to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrest; provides for environmental safety, security and veterans privacy. Measure and record vital signs, intake and output, and weights. Meets personal hygiene needs such as bathing, lifting, turning and feeding. Performs EKG testing. Routinely checks for patency/inflammation/infiltration. Perform routine Foley catheter care including insertion and removal of indwelling catheters performs oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, performs routine tracheotomy care, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer. Perform and documents finger sticks as ordered and necessary. Demonstrates knowledge of side effects of selected medication such as psychotropic drugs in geriatric population. Assists with the discharge process as needed to maintain patient flow provides appropriate hand off report on assigned patients Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures as: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Cares for the patient in various types of isolation. Assist in the prevention of hospital acquired complications such as pressure ulcers through the frequent repositioning; through hand hygiene, via use of aseptic techniques and teaches patient/family the same. Follows Universal precautions and adheres to all infection control standards. Ability to communicate orally and with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. Recognizes and reports changes in patient condition RN, NP, and/or MD/DO. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for BLS, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Displays an attitude of caring, compassion, commitment, courtesy and competence toward all veterans and their families by treating them as customers, greeting them with a smile, referring to them by name, responding to their needs, maintaining confidentiality and treating them with dignity and respect at all times. Documents using appropriate forms, follows protocols, SOP's and guidelines, adheres to policies and evaluates resources daily. Work Schedule: Multiple Tours-based on the needs of the service (To be discussed during interview); Flexibility in the schedule is required to ensure adequate coverage for the service. Telework: Not Available: Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. 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. 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. 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: GS-3 Grade Determinations: (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Grade Determinations: (a) Experience. 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, (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 (transcripts required); AND (c) 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. (d) Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, 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 NAs or other healthcare professionals. 2. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs , 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 . click apply for full job details