Summary

The CTVHCS is recruiting for highly qualified Nursing Assistants for our Acute Care/Telemetry Unit, located in Temple, Texas. Will assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, subacute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Training on telemetry monitoring to facilitate continuous cardiac monitoring of patients. This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 2/16/2024. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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.) Education or Training
• One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] occupation
• Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-03
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: BLS Certification Minimum of 1 year experience as Nursing Assistant Experience working in a team-based environment Self-motivated, effective time management skills Proficient use of Microsoft systems programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc) Telemetry experience preferred but not required Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-03, Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04, Nursing Assistant 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, 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, 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-05, Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) 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 (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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standards, GS-0621
• 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: The population of male and female veterans served ranges from 18 and above, to the elderly adult
• There is a large outpatient psychiatric population, with visits to the Emergency Department and admissions for medical co-morbidities
• 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
• Other Factors: This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 facility
• The incumbent must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds
• Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments
• Makes caring for the veteran his/her priority while in the work setting and demonstrates customer service principles in all aspects of work
• Self-motivated in the pursuit of meeting professional work standards
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required for direct patient care positions
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required in specific specialty areas.

Duties

"Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: CLINICAL PRACTICE: 1.
All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task.
2.
Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran.
Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.
3.
Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations.
The NA is technical in performing, reporting, and recording assigned nursing care, including, but not limited to: 3.1.
Administers oxygen therapy 3.2.
Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
3.3.
Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures including, but not limited to bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, and specimen collection.
3.4.
Assists with minor procedures, including obtaining and arranging necessary equipment, positioning patient, ensuring comfort and privacy.
3.5.
Data collection and documentation intervention of patient visit in applicable nursing note.
3.6.
Based on the patient's goals, reinforces patient and family health education, to include self-management, prevention and wellness.
3.7.
Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3.8.
Measures, records vital signs and enters them in CPRS.
Reports all significant deviations to the LVN, RN and/ or other health care provider immediately.
3.9.
Identifies urgent or emergent patient care situations, seeks assistance and intervenes as directed when appropriate.
COMMUNICATION: 1.
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.
2.
Provides verbal and/or written information in a timely manner that is accurate, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand.
3.
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.
4.
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.).
5.
Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and reactions to situations and uses this knowledge in working effectively with patients, family and other staff members.
Demonstrates courteous, compassionate, caring, and respectful behavior when interacting with all others.
6.
Displays an attitude of caring and courtesy toward all veterans and their families by treating them as customers, greeting them with a smile, referring to them by name, responding quickly to their needs, maintaining confidentiality, and treating them always with dignity and respect.
7.
Demonstrates appropriate telephone courtesy by identifying self and service or work section when answering the phone, responding to the caller in a polite and courteous manner.
8.
Safeguards patient privacy and maintains confidentiality of all electronic and printed patient information according to HIPAA guidelines, the Privacy Act, and as stated in the Medical Center Memo on ADP Security.
Maintains confidentiality of assigned access code and by exiting (logging out) from the ADP system when leaving terminal.
Does not share security codes and does not allow others to use the computer under own security codes.
Maintains patient confidentiality by not discussing patient information except when necessary to authorized staff only in order to meet health care needs.
Ensures application of institutional policy to protect information from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or deletion.
Does not use thumb-drives or other means, such as xeroxing, to remove patient data from the medical center.
Work Schedule: Full-Time; Nights, Weekends, and Holidays; 2330-0800, 1930-0800, 0730-1600, 0730-2000, 1530-2400, 1130-2400 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: (phone number removed) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"