Nursing Assistant

Allied Health Professional

Direct Patient Care:

• Performs phlebotomy and all other specimen collection following the established policies.
• Completes established processes and procedures to accession, manifest, and prepare for specimen transport to the main facility laboratory.
• Provides and completes plan of care orders within scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
• Maintains the physical privacy and dignity of each patient while performing specimen collection and other nursing tasks.
• Obtains weights, height, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, blood glucose (finger stick), level of pain and records them appropriately in the medical record. Can distinguish significant variances in vital signs, pain, and finger sticks and reports them to the responsible RN, LPN, or Provider. Assists with glucometer download and data uploading into the electronic medical record.
• Provides patients with the appropriate level of assistance with activities of transferring, ambulating, and toileting.
• Responds to and assists during emergency treatment situations obtaining equipment as necessary and running errands as needed.
• Assists in emergency situations including but not limited to CPR as needed.

Patient Support Activities:

• Understands and demonstrates behavior that reflects that each patient is an individual with needs that vary, particularly according to his/her age.
• Understands the appropriate body mechanics to safely move patients using a variety of lifts/transfer devices.
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards.
• Initiates emergency measures to protect patients.
• Maintains patient rooms and unit areas in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Participates in problem-solving activities to maintain a safe environment.
• Assists in provision of a safe environment for patients with memory deficits, orientation problems and acting-out behavior.

Communication Duties:

• Utilizes the main facility laboratory department and personnel as a resource and to communicate any patient care related needs or delays, as necessary.
• Uses various programs to access information in the Medical Center Computer System to include, but not limited to, the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to support patient care needs and job duties.
• Consistently reports to the team leader/licensed staff observations of the patient's physical condition and behavior.
• Provides timely follow up with CPRS alerts, MyHealtheVet messages and phone message manager within scope of practice as assigned.
• Participates with the nursing team to provide input in the formulation and implementation of the care plan.

Other Assigned Responsibilities:

• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing, scanning, and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; and transmitting and receiving e-mail.
• Follows established Medical Center policies and procedures, rules and regulations, related to fire, disaster, security measures, computer security, and universal fluid precautions.
• Completes all required education requirements in a timely manner.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday Day Shift

Location: West Clinic

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: N/A

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 08470F, 08469F, 08468F