Nursing Assistant - Inpatient Acute SCI

Summary

The NA is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

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: Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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. Grandfathering Provisions
• All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level)(a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements.(b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 NA(a) Experience
• 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 -(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(c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.iii 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.iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level).(a) 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 -(b) 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(c) Demonstrated KSAs.i 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.ii 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.iii 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: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others
• be able to navigate the facility - write and use a key board and telephone
• This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• Employee will be required to assist with transferring/lifting/moving patients - pushing/pulling wheelchairs - gurneys/beds or equipment which may require - stooping - bending - kneeling - twisting - sitting lifting or carrying live weight up to 35 lbs
• and walking without restrictions
• 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
• The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility - use a keyboard - perform CPR (Bart trained) when necessary - and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions
• Reasonable accommodations may be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of the position
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Duties

• The following are assigned duties - but not limited to - the list below with documented competency: - Safely and effectively uses patient care equipment
• - Identifies potential and actual emergencies and takes appropriate actions
• - Implements hospital safety guidelines and maintains a safe environment for patients and staff
• - Reports all accidents to supervisor and notifies supervisor promptly of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions
• - Maintains confidentiality of patient information
• - Sets-up - uses - reprocesses - and maintains all unit/department-specific equipment that is designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients
• - Obtains and records vital signs - pulse - temperature - respirations - blood pressure - and pain level
• - Measures and records height and weight of patients
• - Assists patients with activities of daily living (e.g. - hygiene - eating - dressing and ambulation) including oral/denture care - bed baths/shower - indwelling catheter care - perineal care - foot care - and changing bed linens
• - Positions - sets-up - and assists patients with meals
• ensures meal trays are removed
• - Assists with patient transfers in and out of bed
• - Assists patients to and from toilet
• assists patients with any toileting needs
• and keeps incontinent patients clean
• - Assists with patient admissions ensuring personal belongings are inventoried and documented
• Assists with patient discharges or transfers including stripping beds - ensuring patients have their belongings
• and sweeps medication cabinets in patient rooms
• - Answers call lights and unit phones as needed
• - Performs glucose checks on patients as ordered
• - Turns and repositions patients at risk for skin breakdown
• - Performs range of motion exercises for patients
• - Reinforces non-sterile dressings
• - Applies anti-embolic hose/equipment (i.e. - Ted hose - sequential compression devices)
• - Applies adaptive devices and non-behavioral restraints as ordered
• - Functions as Continuous Observation Attendant (COA) in accordance with facility COA policy - Relieves COAs as needed for breaks and meals
• - Wipes down all patients' bedside tables and side rails once a shift - and as needed
• - Ensures patients' bedside areas are neat - tidy - and free of fall hazards
• - Ensures patients have an adequate supply of water - cups - and straws at their bedside
• - Assists in recording and charting patient input and output (l&O)
• - Conducts intentional frequent rounds on patients to ensure their needs are being met
• - Ensures safety precautions are in place
• - Empties indwelling catheter bags - urinals - surgical drains - and records output amounts
• - Assists with post-mortem care
• Transports deceased bodies to morgue
• - Stocks supplies in patient care areas to ensure there are adequate supplies and equipment to meet patient care needs
• - Cleans reusable medical equipment (RME) on unit as needed
• - Documents vital signs in the electronic health record (EHR)
• - Documents on the restraint and seclusion flow sheet per policy
• - Documents the care provided in EHR
• - Initiates CPR as appropriate
• - Performs bladder scan and reports findings to RN
• - Places patients on cardiac monitors as needed
• - Applies ice packs with RN delegation as needed
• - Performs other duties - as assigned
• - Performs 12-lead EKGs
• - Selects and applies condom catheters as needed
• - Transports patients from one unit/area to another or to clinic appointments
• - Transports specimens to lab
• -Feeds patients on Aspiration Precautions
• - Performs other duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience: More than 2 years of NA experience preferred
• Nursing assistant certification preferred
• Rehab/Spinal Cord injury experience preferred
• Work Schedule: 0700-1930 or 1900-0730 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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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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