Nursing Assistant (Float Pool)

Nursing Assistant

The position provides care in the Community Living Center (CLC), Domiciliary (DOM), and Blind Rehabilitation units. The Nursing Assistant develops their practice and adherence to a high level of respect and knowledge of veteran patient rights and responsibilities. The Nursing Assistant's practice includes all activities of daily living, and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the veteran patient to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life. The Nursing Assistant supports the unit operations and can be assigned clinical and non-clinical duties. Duties listed are from the GS-05 level. They include but are not limited to:

• Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention; that includes learning to implement the organization's prevention guidelines on falls and pressure sores, and the veteran's specific plan of care.
• Ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet.
• Supervises patients and can mentor other NA's in personal hygiene, rest and eating. Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance. Helps patients in and out of bed, and with mobile devices. Instructs and assists patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living.
• Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions. Maintains privacy of patient and staff.
• Performs and can mentor other NA's in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs, EKGs, weight, height, intake and output, post-mortem care, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, changes clean or sterile dressings, applies external catheters, and gives catheter care.
• Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks. Performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises.
• Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures.
• Prepares patients for tests, examinations, treatments and for surgery. Collect's specimens such as urine, sputum and stool. Labels specimens for laboratory examinations. Performs blood glucose tests as appropriate. Cleans and maintains equipment with appropriate RME disinfectant.
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster. Demonstrates safe body mechanics.
• Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status, reporting unusual changes to the RN. Report's information obtained from patients and or family and participates in developing a plan of care. Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.
• Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training.
• Knowledge of safe handling practices (i.e., precautions and measures for handling of hazardous waste) working with patients who receive Hazardous Medications and the disposal of bodily fluids contaminated with Hazardous Medications including knowledge of unit radiation safety precautions.

Work Schedule: Night Shift, 7:30 pm - 8 am and 11:30 pm - 8 am with rotating weekends/holidays

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs