The purpose of the work is to provide nursing assistant care that covers personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatment procedures, patient/resident charting, and limited patient/resident teaching. The work contributes to a base of standard nursing care upon which further nursing care may be planned and/or provided by nurses. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 [NA] (Entry Level) (a) Experience [and] Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 [NA] (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; AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's 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 patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level) (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; AND (c) Demonstrated KSAs 1. 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. 2. 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. 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 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: The work involves long periods, up to twelve hours, of moving about and between the work units. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing, and repositioning patients, or similar activities without limitation. Must be able to lift and/or move heavy objects over 45 pounds. Must be able to carry objects over 40 pounds for distances of at least 200 feet. Assignment involves positioning patients/residents and transferring them to wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds using proper body mechanics. He/she must be able to hear with or without aides and be able to visually distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. The work requires regular and recurring ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill and psychologically unstable patients. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The position is responsible for the nursing assistant duties, includes acute and close observation, taking and documenting vital signs, collecting lab specimens including phlebotomy and capillary blood glucose checks, passing and picking up meal trays, tracking and documenting intake and output, assisting with transporting of patients/residents, and duties as assigned by the Supervisor or designee. The position requires the ability to work alternate schedules during evenings, nights, weekends, weekdays, holidays, and may alternate schedules to ensure adequate coverage of support functions. Employee performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality health care, outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veterans, their families, and internal and external stakeholders. Employee actively supports the team concept and functions as a team player, working collaboratively across service and care lines to accomplish the mission of the facility and service. The incumbent contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the team. Employee works effectively with others, recognizing emergency situations, and acts appropriately. The position includes responsibility for coverage of medical support assistant (MSA) duties in the absence of the MSA or during times of high need as determined by the Supervisor or designee. The position includes assignments in clinical areas including Mental Health, Operative Care, Urgent Care, Medical/Hospice, and the Community Living Center. The Intermittent Inpatient Aid will be cross-trained to work at a minimum two inpatient care areas with an expectation of working at a minimum two shifts per month. Shifts will vary between 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts at any time during the day. Scheduling may occur up to two weeks in advance, but short notice needs will also be required. Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties: Personal Patient/Resident Care Performs a wide variety of nursing duties aimed at increasing the safety, comfort, and spirit of the patient/resident while following established policy and procedures. Provide acute and close observation of patients/residents with medical or mental health conditions requiring such observation. This includes intervening to prevent an act of self or other harm by patients/residents, assisting with prevention and management of disruptive behavior, and reporting to the charge nurse any deviation from baseline behavior or condition. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient/resident situations including subtle changes in patients'/residents' behavior or condition or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. The incumbent monitors intake and output, vital signs, percent ingestion of meals, and other activities of daily living and documents appropriately. Documents in the patients'/residents' medical record a daily outline or summary of the patient's/resident's care using the approved format, including situation-background-actions-response (SBAR) hand-off. He/she assists patients/residents with transfers from bed to chair, chair to bed, or bed to bedside commode using proper body mechanics and safe patient handling and mobility devices to ensure safety to self and patient/resident. He/she provides 1:1 observation for suicidal, wander risk, or high fall risk patients/residents as directed by the Supervisor or Charge Nurse. Provides and removes patient/resident meal trays as appropriate, remaining cognizant of patients/residents with special diets or who are ordered to not receive anything by mouth. He/she assists patients/residents with activities of daily living to include oral hygiene, bathing, toileting, feeding, dressing, ambulating, passive or active range of motion, and other activities to promote independence and autonomy. Work Schedule: 12hr or 8hr rotating shifts as needed. Examples 1800-0630, 0600-1430, etc. 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"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.