The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a position under the discipline of Nursing/Patient Care Services at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center. The NA consistently demonstrates knowledge of patient care, utilize critical thinking skills, clinical competence and knowledge of the practices and procedures which she/he coordinates at the patient bedside.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant consistently demonstrates knowledge of patient care, utilize critical thinking skills, clinical competence and knowledge of the practices and procedures which she/he coordinates at the patient bedside. The Nursing Assistant functions as a responsible member of the nursing staff. Duties include but not limited to: Performs a variety of nursing care activities which include bathing, feeding, oral care and related personal hygiene duties. Assist with ambulation, lifting, getting Veteran ready for Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy (PT/OT), positioning and self help activities. Assist with bladder and bowel elimination. Accurately documents I & 0 in CPRS. Reapply nasal oxygen cannula if misplaced from Veteran's nares. May obtain full oxygen tank and replace empty oxygen tank for Veteran as needed. Recognize and properly use equipment, materials and supplies to carry out procedures and other assignments through the guidance of the RN. Identify and report health and safety hazards in the work area and practice safe work habits. Maintain skills as identified by the unit specific competencies. Observes and reports current observations such as veteran's physical condition, emotional response, observes skin condition, variations in vital signs, urine, stool or sputum; personal habits of patient, and listens for clues to Veterans reaction to illness and treatment, and reports observation to RN. Assist with feeding Veterans, monitoring meal time and cleanup after meals, document Intake and Output and meal percentage. Pass waters and perform vitals and correctly input information in CPRS. Assist with admission process of new Veterans to the floor, orienting them to use the TV and call light. Assist with patient clothing & personnel belonging inventory. Appropriately uses protective/restraining devices (such as, bed alarm, chair alarm, toilet alarm). Provides general Veteran care associated with cardiac monitoring such as assessing and/or changing electrodes, batteries and troubleshooting alarms or functionality of the equipment. He/she demonstrates flexibility, accuracy and timeliness in job functions in response to unexpected changes in work volume, emergencies, staffing or scheduling. Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other NAs. Hourly rounding on patients with a purpose (pain, potty, positioning, proximity). Use principles of body mechanics in veteran lifting, equipment handling, and veteran care related to activities. Uses lifting devices and mechanical aids whenever possible. Obtains additional personnel when lifting, moving or transferring veteran in order to prevent back strain and or injury. Completes mandatory reviews and required in-service education in a timely manner. Practices universal precautions and follows blood borne pathogen and other potentially infectious material standards. Provides continuous and close observation monitoring including tele-sitter support for Veterans requiring close or continuous observation. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Nights,12 hours, alternating weekends off Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant/0019-F/00020-F/00021-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: 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. 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. 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: Grade Determinations: GS-3 [NA] Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 [NA] 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. 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. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 (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. Examples of qualifying experience include, but may not be limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff, and other members of a care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs 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 KSAs: 1.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. 2. 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. 3. 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 MARCH 12, 2015 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. 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 inpatient 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, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Rebecca Montgomery
• Phone: (281) 536-7730
• Email: [email protected]