Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Summary The Central Texas Health Care System is recruiting for highly qualified Nursing Assistants for our Acute Care in Temple - Texas. The NA will function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - subacute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. Summary The Central Texas Health Care System is recruiting for highly qualified Nursing Assistants for our Acute Care in Temple - Texas. The NA will function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive - acute - subacute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care. Qualifications 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 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. Physical Requirements See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements 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 Grandfathering Provisions All Nursing Assistants 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 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 GS-4: 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 - Education Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) In addition - the candidate must demonstrate 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 GS-5: 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 listed 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 (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) In addition - the candidate must demonstrate 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 Preferred Experience: Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience Professional Governance participation Certified Nursing Assistant Current BLS certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit 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 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 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 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. Duties Major Duties as Assigned - but not limited to: 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 CLC 11A/11B units are short stay rehabilitation - hospice - and dementia care units focusing on assisting Veterans to return home with their highest level of function CLINICAL PRACTICE: All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task Utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations The RNA is technical in performing - reporting - and recording assigned nursing care - including - but not limited to: Administers oxygen therapy Provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents Properly use equipment - materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures Assists with minor procedures - including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment - positioning patient - ensuring comfort and privacy Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note Based on the patient's goals - reinforces patient and family health education - to include self-management - prevention - and wellness Observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner Measures - records vital signs and enters them in CPRS Reports all significant deviations immediately Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations - seeks assistance - and intervenes as directed when appropriate COMMUNICATION: Demonstrates basic skill in identifying the individual's level of understanding and teaching the client and/or significant other about the basic concepts to his/her disease process - utilizing the standards of care and documenting client's response Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate - using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand Makes observations and documents care and the patient's response Appropriately seeks assistance and guidance by informing RN or medical provider of changes in the patient's condition requiring higher-level intervention Basic knowledge in the use of various computer packages to enter and retrieve electronic data - i.e. - CPRS - VISTA - mailman - leave requests - and patient information (progress notes - patient education - etc.) COLLABORATION/COLLEGIALITY: Demonstrates basic communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers Practices good customer service in all work activities Displays courtesy - empathy - tact - and respect for patients - families/significant others - and hospital staff Remains calm in stressful situations Promotes personal and professional integrity in the workplace Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am - 8:00pm or 7:30pm - 8:0 am with rotating weekends and holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 53053F - 53054F - 53055F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs