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Summary

The 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.

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
• Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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. Physical Requirements
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Heavy carrying (45 lbs
• and over)
• Straight pulling (up to 8 hours)
• Pushing (up to 8 hours)
• Reaching above shoulders
• Use of fingers
• both hands required
• walking (up to 8 hours)
• standing (up to 8 hours)
• kneeling (2 to 3 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 8 hours)
• both legs required
• hearing (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 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)
• Preferred Experience: One year experience in either Acute Care or Long-Term Care Grade Determinations: GS-3 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements
• GS-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 position
• In 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/residents
• 2 Ability to observe patients/residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3 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
• 4 Ability to communicate effectively with patient / residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS- 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 degree
• In 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 Nurse
• 2 Ability to communicate orally with patients/ residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• This 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 setting
• 3 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II - Appendix G46The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3/4/5
• 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 incumbent 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 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
• The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements are consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

Duties

• NAs 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 illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignment typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• And the following other duties as assigned
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff .- Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e. - behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms.- Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning.- Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and Accurately
• Performs 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 devices
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.- 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
• Enters information about the residents' conditions in the chart in appropriate formats
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident
• Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties
• Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison and as preceptor and mentor to other NA's
• Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
• Functions as a member of the unit base counsel
• Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members
• Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes actions appropriate action
• Pay Scale: V0SO Work Schedule: Full time - rotational shifts Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized