Nursing Assistant

Allied Health Professional Nurse Assistants

A Nurse Assistant at this grade level functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients in the Emergency Department, and occasionally Telemetry, 2East, 3West, and IPU. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The GS-5 NA successfully completes duties at the lower grades, and in this position performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or Community Living Center (CLC), acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. The NA must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• 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.

Operates Equipment and Determines Technical Factors

Determines technical factors, sets controls, and operates equipment, instruments, and monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen, CPAP etc. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, and camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN.

Maintains a Safe Environment/Receives/Directs Patients

Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting, and eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings as indicated in facility SOP's, Memorandums, or Policies. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc.

Performs Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms and recording them, collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory.

Secures Patients' Confidence/Cooperation

Secures patient confidence and cooperation during hospital stay, including explaining procedures and guidelines.

Clerical/Administrative Support Coordination Requirement

Provides general clerical administrative support coordination work for the unit. Maintains patient records/charts. Updates unit forms and/or worksheets. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit.

Work Schedule: Rotating shifts including holidays, nights, and weekends

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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 #: 61562A; 61561A; 61560A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized