The Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for assisting the licensed nursing staff in the care of patients throughout the facility. The incumbent functions as a member of the Inpatient Nursing services with responsibility for performing variety of specimen collection, clinical tests, patient and specimen transport, and pharmacy transport duties. The Nursing Assistant will also mentor and educate peers and monitor wheelchair availability throughout the Medical Center.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant (NA) carries out the highest level of work during the day-to-day operations throughout the facility. Performs a variety of specimen collections to assist the nursing staff with blood draws and lab sputum and urine sample requests and conducts simple tests such as vital signs and recording results. He or she changes patient sterile dressings and monitor IV fluids as directed by the nursing staff and aids the health care giver during diagnostic testing. Performs catharizing, irrigating, and suctioning of patients and teaching family as directed by nursing staff. The employee will ensure the safe transport of inpatients and emergency room patients to and from therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment and safety measures. He or she must be alert of impending emergencies and be able to recognize abnormalities, physical or emotional distress, unusual readings or conditions and intervene while waiting for assistance. The employee is cognizant of the signs and symptoms of impending violence such as increased agitation, yelling, or non-cooperation and takes prompt action. Transfers, transports, and monitors patients traveling by wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to procedures or medical tests in a safe and efficient manner. He or she utilizes verbal/written 'handoff' interactive communication that provides opportunity for questioning between the giver and receiver of patient information. The employee will interact with escort volunteers to determine the most efficient way of accomplishing a transportation request. Keeps working areas clean and follows safety precautions utilizing sterile techniques and infection control techniques such as hand hygiene, mask wearing, transporting isolated patients, and cleaning wheelchairs after patient use. Ensures working area are free of obstructions. The employee will obtain and transport laboratory specimens and pharmacy items/paperwork to specified laboratory, and delivery points. Coordinate's transport of patient specimens and medications with escort volunteers. He or she gathers, stores, and distributes wheelchairs throughout the Medical Center, identifying wheelchairs in need of minor or major repair and removes from service. The employee maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with federal and state legal regulations; and The Joint Commission requirements to include knowledge of national safety goals. Complies with HIPAA and Privacy Rules and accesses PII when required for performance of duties and maintains knowledge of new regulations. Communicates concerns and assignments with patients/residents, families, medical teams and others impacted by his or her duties. Trains new NA's by assisting with orientation and has oversight and review of their clinical training experience. Answers telephone calls, provides response, or refers to appropriate staff member. Maintains and stores medical supplies, which includes organization and inventory of stocks and replenishments, and prepares and performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: a. 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.) b. 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-3. c. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. d. 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. e. 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. 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: [(1)] 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. [(2)] 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 reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Will be made in accordance with VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 at time of tentative job offer. References: VA Handbook 5005 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. Mechanical patient lifts are provided. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Preferred Experience: 1+ Year as a Nursing Assistant.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Syracuse VA Medical Center 800 Irving Ave Syracuse, NY 13210 US
• Name: Jacob Cawley
• Phone: 5853942000 X37768
• Email: [email protected]