Nursing Assistant

Summary The LTC Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center is seeking a Full-Time Nursing Assistant (NA) for the Acute Inpatient Mental Health (AIMH) department. The incumbent will function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher-grade Nursing Assistants and licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents who are entering the campus - moving about the facility - or admitted to an inpatient unit - the Community Living Center - RRTP - or any temporary/emergency unit on the grounds. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy Experience or 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met For the GS-03 Experience and Education: None beyond the Basic Requirements For the GS-04 Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 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 You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-4 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 For the GS-05 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 Specialized experience includes: 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 OR - 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 You must also demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): Please make sure that each is addressed in detail in the body of your resume.GS-5. 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 Reference: VA Regulations - specifically VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant - Job Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: Satisfactory physical examination as determined by the Employee Health Unit upon appointment only See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ( position requires visual acuity (glasses permitted) - keen hearing (hearing aid permitted) - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking (up to 8 hours) - standing (up to 8 hours) - stooping - sitting - bending (up to 8 hours) - pulling - and pushing Light lifting under 15 lbs Light carrying 15-44 lbs 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 Use of rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously 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 Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment 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. Duties The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient/resident care in a variety of settings - including acute care units - acute mental health unit - community living center Care includes assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) - such as bathing - dressing - eating and mobility Operates a variety of equipment including - but not limited to - wheelchairs - stretchers - vital sign machines - bladder scanners - lifts and oxygen Assists with procedures using proper technique Transports patients using safe technique Completes thorough - timely and accurate documentation of care provided Must be able to recognize and react to acute changes or emergent patient conditions such as bleeding - abnormal vital signs and behavior crisis Duties if this position include but are not limited to: Assists in the care and treatment of patients receiving medical - surgical - or mental health treatment Observes and reports changes in patient behavior - attitude - and appearance - such as patients' color - vital signs - wound/skin condition - and reaction to/results of treatment Assists in the performance of treatment by performing duties such as the taking/monitoring - recording - and reporting of vital signs - height - weight - patient concerns/symptoms - and less obvious changes in patients' condition Assists with treatment and diagnostic procedures by preparing and positioning the patient - obtaining supplies/equipment - reassuring the patient - cleaning up following the procedure - documenting/reporting concerning the procedure - and conducting post-procedure checks on the patient as directed by the RN Provides care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior - including those who are severely depressed - agitated - and/or acting out and those patients with complex medical conditions The care provided frequently involves setting up/working around various types of medical equipment and the use of medical supplies Recognizes emergency situations and appropriately intervenes while awaiting assistance Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0730-2000 1930-0800 including weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs