Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Nursing Assistants are members of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills.
• Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording.
• Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributing information for the development and review of the nursing care plan.
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment.
• Competent performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident needs for:
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Physical Comfort
  • Activity, Exercise, Rest
  • Nutrition
  • Elimination
  • Prevention of Skin Breakdown
  • Rehabilitative Aspects of Care
• Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes.
• Learning to be proficient utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training.
• Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision.
• Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, q 15 minute checks, and hourly rounding.
• Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional.
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients.
• Reports patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures.
• Sets up patient care related equipment, such as hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment.
• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care provider.
• Organizing and obtaining routine supplies and equipment.
• Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies.
• Working as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team.

Supervisory Controls: Nursing Assistants are under the supervision of a Nurse Manager or other supervisor who provides the administrative supervision, plans and assigns work, assigns time schedules, approves leave, and completes performance evaluations. Clinical supervision is provided by a Registered Nurse, License Practical/Licensed Vocational Nurse, or Physician.

Work Schedule: Night Shift w/rotating weekend & holidays

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases

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.

Functional Statement #: 93501-0,93502-0,93503-0

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized