This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) provides clinical support for the Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) veteran under the direction and delegation of the Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).The CNA on the SCI Unit practices and adheres to a high level of respect and knowledge of veteran rights and protects the vulnerable and frail veterans. The purpose of the Spinal Cord Injury Services is to provide care and rehabilitation to those Veterans who have incurred spinal cord injuries. The purpose for the CNA is to provide direct and indirect care to SCI service line veteran-veteran-patients. Participates in care as a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team in motivating veteran-patients toward treatment plan goals. These veteran-patients have a wide range of spinal cord injuries, often accompanied by acute and chronic medical complications. The treatment objectives are established by the treatment team and delegated to the CNA by the RN. Functions as member of the Multidisciplinary Team and assists the RN and LPN in the care of veteran-patients with acute and chronic spinal cord injury needs, acute and chronic medical complications; including observing, recording, and reporting changes in their behavior, and providing reassurance and encouragement. Work with multidisciplinary staff to achieve treatment goals for veteran- patients by providing input and feedback concerning effectiveness of interventions. Demonstrates basic technical skills which facilitate an optimal level of functioning for the veteran- patient, recognizing individual, cultural, and religious diversity. Performs support duties using initiative and without specific direction such as taking vital signs, recording and reporting deviations to the supervisor; collects specimens and labels for laboratory; application of approved topical medications, using hot and cold packs, changing dressings, giving enemas, monitoring fluids, maintenance of urethral catheters, irrigation of catheters, setting up and giving treatments that require auxiliary equipment such as oxygen and suction. Demonstrates basic personal care skills. Provides special attention to details of care including honoring patient's personal preference related to activities of daily living care (AOL). Demonstrates the ability to identify the psychosocial characteristics of all veteran- patients including persons with mental retardation, mental illness, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and related disorders. Incorporates principles and skills of restorative nursing in providing nursing care. Acts as preceptor to teach principles. Acts as mentor for established CNAs as expert in restorative nursing support. Uses procedures and techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms. Acts as preceptor to teach infection control. Acts as mentor for established CNAs as expert in infection control. Demonstrates knowledge of and is responsive to the laws and regulations which affect his/her practice including but not limited to: Veteran-patient abuse and neglect, veteran-patient complaint procedures, workers right to know, and pertinent regulatory standards. Demonstrates behavior which maintains and respects veteran-patients' rights and promotes veteran-patients' independence, regardless of race, religion, life-style, sexual preference, disease process, or ability to pay. Precepts new CNAs to veteran-patients' rights and responsibilities and promotion of independence. Acts as mentor for established CNA s as expert in veteran-patients' rights and responsibilities and promotion of independence. Uses communication skills effectively in order to function as a member of the nursing team. Maintains positive relationships with patients, visitors, and personnel. Answers telephones and call lights. Receives and directs patients and/or their families by answering routine questions. Acts as preceptor for new CNA staff and mentor for all CNA staff, role modeling and teaching care to veterans as appropriate to VA policy and procedure. Maintains a professional, courteous, and respectful manner when interacting with patients, families, co-workers and medical center staff. Participates in in-service programs and assists in the orientation of new employees as needed. Acts as preceptor to teach communication and interpersonal skills. Acts as mentor for established CNAs as expert in communication and interpersonal skills. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 3:30 PM-12:00 AM with rotating weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. (Must provide transcripts and/or certificate) 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 3. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4: 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. (Must provide transcripts) AND In addition to the above experience/education, 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-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; 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. (Must provide transcripts) AND In addition to the above experience/education, 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, 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 work requires heavy lifting (45lbs) or over, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted) visual acuity 20/30 corrected, mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include working with hands in water and working closely with others.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Jovita Murphy
• Phone: 253-583-3850
• Email: [email protected]