Summary

The Charles George VA Medical Center is looking to fill a Nursing Assistant position within Ambulatory Care Unit. The Nursing Assistant performs a variety of basic patient care and Day Surgery/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) support duties under the supervision of the Nurse Manager - Assistant Nurse Manager - charge nurse - and or registered nurses.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA 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
• Experience Requirement: GS-03 Nursing Assistant: For GS-03 Entry Level consideration: None beyond the basic requirements
• Experience Requirement: GS-04 Nursing Assistant: (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: 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
• Experience Requirement: GS-05 Nursing Assistant: (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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience in and working knowledge of Preop and PACU area The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-03 to GS-05
• References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22 - 2024Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019 - Part II - Paragraph 3 - II-1 - 1(a) - A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical - cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required - and shall be completed prior to appointment - for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C. - Chapter 73 - for Title 38 positions.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf The primary duties of the Nursing Assistant may vary by assignment
• Duties may include - but are not limited to the following: Duties include - but are not limited to: Assist nursing staff with patient transport to various areas within the hospital including ED - wards - critical care units - clinics - diagnostic and treatment areas - an to their waiting care for discharge
• Bring patients back from waiting area-to the dressing area (explain what to remove)-assist them to the assigned stretcher
• Make comfortable with warm blankets
• Assist patient when surgery/procedure has been cancelled or when they are ready for discharge
• get family - dc IV
• assist to dress - etc
• QC the glucometer and performs CBG as necessary
• Re-stock and maintain changing rooms - wipe down surfaces - hang clean gown - set out footies - keep boxes of gloves available
• Assist patients with going to the bathroom - answer call lights
• Apply SCDs or TED hose on patients as necessary
• Perform EKGs when needed
• Assist in providing messenger type activities and other ancillary support activities for the OR nursing staff including: Deliver specimens to the labs
• Deliver equipment/supplies to/from other departments
• Deliver patients belongings
• Check the blanket/fluid warmer and stock as needed
• Restock with linens and pillows
• Locate the stretchers and return to the OR/PACU areas
• Transport the OR/PACU equipment to and from storage areas
• Maintain environmental safety by organizing the areas and hallways to keep them clutter-free
• Assist in getting the area ready for the next day by restocking - organizing equipment - and making surgical beds
• Wear personal protective equipment when interacting with the patients as indicated
• Comply with infection control policies/ procedures
• Comply with HIPPA and information security policies/procedures
• Report all incidents and/or accidents to the supervisor immediately
• Treat all patients - visitors - employees - and volunteers with respect - understand the mission and the vision of the Charles George VA Medical Center and uphold organizational core values
• Integrity - Commitment - Advocacy - Respect - and Excellence
• Perform other direct and indirect patient-care related tasks as assigned by the Nurse Manager - Assistant Nurse Manager - and charge nurse
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday varying tours to include 6:00 am to 2:30 pm
• 6:30 am to 3:00 pm
• 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.