The Bruce W Carter Department of VAMC is looking for Nursing Assistants (NA) to work in Multiple Specialties for Nursing Service. These include: Escort, Emergency, LTC, PCU, MICU, Medical Surgical/Telemetry, MH, OR, and Spinal Cord Injury. 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. 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. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 Grade Determinations: (a) 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, (b) 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 (transcripts required); AND (c) Demonstrated 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. (d) Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. 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, sub acute or chronic states of illness. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments 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. Preferred Experience: Nursing Assistant License Minimum of 2-3 years experience in applied specialty Experience in utilizing dependability, self direction, critical thinking and problem-solving skills Experience utilizing skills adapting and being flexible References: VA Directive and Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46; Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated March 12, 2015. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. 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 incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 Medical Center. ["NOTE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, CURRENT PERMANENT VA EMPLOYEES SHOULD APPLY UNDER THE ANNOUNCEMENT CBTC-11807795-23-TGP This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and it will remain open until 06-30-2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 02/09/2023. Eligible applications received after this date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur, as-needed until positions are filled. Applications will expire after 3 months, you will be required to update the application to continue to be considered. 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. j. 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; 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"]

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