Nursing Assistant (Medical Oncology)

Summary This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services - Inpatient Nursing - Acute Care. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN). 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 Be a citizen of the United States English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed Experience - 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 Nursing Assistant (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. 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-3 Experience and Education None beyond the basic requirements Assignments Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised GS-4 Experience One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant (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 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 Assignments Individuals assigned as GS-4 Nursing Assistant's are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist 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/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other health care professionals ii In this role - the NA 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 The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals GS-5 (Full Performance) 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 - 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 Assignment This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistant's NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub acute or chronic states of illness 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 NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role Preferred Experience: 1 to 3 years inpatient Nursing Assistant/CNA experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments In addition to the aforementioned duties - it may involve moving equipment/objects in excess of 40lbs The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes Transferring patients and objects may be required Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations 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 Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment. Duties Major duties include but are not limited to: Performs and fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe and effective patient care with the appropriate level of training All tasks - assignments - and activities will be under the direction - guidance - and supervision of a RN While in this role the incumbent: Contributes to a safe - clean - and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by maintaining clean equipment - patient's rooms and ward areas Cares for patients with communicable diseases for which various isolations precautions may be required Don the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution Uses sterile techniques with treatments and simple dressings that do not require packing - irrigation - debridement - or medications Wrap stumps - irrigates and stabilizes ostomies - changes ostomy appliances and performs bowel and bladder training as outlined by treatment plan Observes PIV/CVC for redness - swelling - or pain and reports findings to RN Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene and the application of external catheters Assists with the rehabilitation of patients and in the prevention of deformities by correct position and assisting with activities of daily living to include ambulation Performs range of motion activities Measures and records vital signs to include temperature - pulse - respirations - blood pressure and measuring height and weight Measures and records intake and output Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately Self-directed in seeking out RN - Lead Nurse - or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information Observes and reports patient complaints - results of treatments performed - change in patient's condition - behavior and/or attitude Observes and reports both obvious and subtle changes in patient's physical condition or emotional status - e.g signs of post-operative shock - hemorrhage - cyanosis - respiratory distress - aspiration of mucous - infiltration of IV - or acute behavior changes or unusual behavior Utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Clinicomp/Essentris per policy Documentation is consistent - accurate - concise - and timely Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle and wrist restraints - Twice-as-Tough Restraints and padded side rails Reports abusive - aggressive - threatening behaviors and documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS) At the RN's direction - initiates Code Yellow as necessary Assists with the admission - discharge - and transfer of patients according to medical center or nursing service policies Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics - use of mechanical devices Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving - lifting - or turning patients to prevent injury to patient - self or others Assists in supervising patients in transfer activities - personal hygiene - preventing the spread of infectious diseases and in preventative and rehabilitative aspects of care Follows ECHCS and nursing service policies and procedures for accurately documenting personal belongings and securing patients' belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures - hearing aids - eyes - and limbs Performs bladders scans - EKGs - and collects urine - sputum - MRSA Nares or stool specimens per the RN's direction Reports all patient critical glucose measurements immediately to nurse responsible for patient's care Assists RN - when indicated - by placing patients on telemetry monitoring Verifies proper patient and placement with telemetry technician Changes telemetry batteries in Philips IntelliVue MX40 as requested by RN or telemetry technician Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive and/or not breathing Monitors patient's compliance and use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion and proper flow settings Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN Participates in patient care conferences and contributes to the formulation of nursing care plans Other related duties - as assigned Work Schedule: To Be Determined Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 554-51162-A - 554-51163-A - & 554-51164-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr Colorado Psychiatric