Acute Care Nursing Assistant

Summary

This position is utilized on the inpatient units and in the Escort Department of the medical center. Incumbents in this position are responsible for the entire scope of patient care to include direct patient care - assisting with patient admissions - discharges - transfers - errand duties - and delivery of medical supplies/equipment when needed. Birmingham VA Medical Center (BVAMC) is a Level 1B interdisciplinary teaching facility.

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:

• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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-04 Experience and Education: 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 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 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-05 Experience and Education: 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 - 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 Demonstrated KSAs1
• 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 Nursing Assistants 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 G46The 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: This position requires walking
• standing - stooping - lifting (not more than 10 lbs.) - bending - pushing (not more than 10 lbs.) - and pulling (not more than 10 lbs.)
• Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.

Duties

• All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task
• Providing personal nursing care such as providing pre- and post-operative care
• Support duties for diagnostic and technical treatment procedures - such as setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus
• Caring for mentally ill patients - including observing - recording - and reporting changes in their behavior - and providing reassurance and encouragement
• Assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities - including passing instruments - maintaining sterile conditions - and draping and positioning patients
• Provides Foley catheter and peritoneal care
• Communicates all care with patients - giving special attention to details of care since patients may be too ill to provide care
• Observes patient for changes in condition - such as color - respirations - drainage - level of consciousness - etc. - and reports changes to Registered Nurse assigned to care and/or Charge Nurse
• Assists patient with bedpan and urinal
• Provides 1:1 observation for patients at risk for suicide or harm per policy/procedure
• Provides care to 1:1 patient
• Checks restraints for proper application and patient comfort
• Keeps bedside and patient room neat and uncluttered
• Promotes a sense of worth and dignity to the patient by addressing him/her properly (Mr./Mrs.) and in a courteous manner
• Documents on flow sheets and in CPRS with clear description of observations and actions performed and patient responses
• Adjusts to changes in work assignment in a professional and pleasant manner
• Properly collects specimens and assures proper labeling and security of lids and bagging in biohazard bag before sending for processing
• Ensures the responsible person is aware of patient's and/or specimen arrival before leaving the unit Assures patients arrive at designated areas for tests and/or treatments on time
• Transports and remains with patients when sent to other departments within the facility
• Utilizes the ticket to ride for patient transport and ensures handoff
• Takes care of patient's non-routine care and comfort needs
• Provides careful observation to ensure that intravenous fluids - oxygen - nasogastric - urinary and/or other drainage tubing or chest tubes remain intact
• Reports any problems to the Registered Nurse and/or Charge Nurse
• Provides and/or assists with emergency care (initiates CPR - applies pressure to bleeding sites - positions patients on side if vomiting occurs - etc.)
• Uses universal precautions and isolation techniques to protect the patient and others against infection
• Reports and records significant data on proper forms - and in CPRS accurately and completely
• Reports and records significant data regarding changes in patient condition when indicated
• Communicates effectively with all levels of health care personnel - patients - visitors - families - etc
• in person and via telephone - using proper terminology and speaking in a professional manner
• Participates in hourly rounds - ensures the patient environment is safe from clutter - bedside table and essential items are within reach - call light is within reach - offers and assists with toileting and positioning needs to prevent falls
• Manages telemetry boxes and leads per established policy and procedure
• Secures patients properly in wheelchairs and/or stretchers for safe - comfortable transport
• Uses sound body mechanics and safe patient handling equipment
• Assists the patient in the use of assistive devices as indicated and recognizes patient's post-operative and post-procedural needs
• Utilizes glucometer to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned patients
• Work Schedule: Full Time 3:30pm to 12am(8hour shift) or 7:00pm to 7:30am(12hour shift) with rotating weekends & holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement: 62143F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station(PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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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.

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