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 Nursing Assistant (NA) on the inpatient acute care units develops their practice and adherence to a high level of respect and knowledge of veteran patient rights and responsibilities. The NAs practice includes all activities of daily living, and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the veteran patient to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life. The NA supports the unit operations and can be assigned clinical and non-clinical duties. NAs function as members of the nursing care team and assist licensed staff in the care of patients who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness. Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-5 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention; that includes learning to implement the organization's prevention guidelines on falls and pressure sores, and the veteran's specific plan of care. The NA ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet. Employee adheres to responsibility of timely maintenance of all education required. Supervises patients and can mentor other NAs in personal hygiene, rest and eating. Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance. Helps patients in and out of bed, and with mobile devices. Instructs and assists patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living. Contributes to a safe, clean, clutter-free, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Follows Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions. Performs and can mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs, EKGs, weight, height, intake and output, post-mortem care, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, changes clean or sterile dressings, applies external catheters, and gives catheter care. Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks. Performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises. Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures. Prepares patients for tests, examinations, treatments and for surgery. Collects specimens such as urine, sputum and stool. Labels specimens for laboratory examinations. Performs blood glucose tests as appropriate. Cleans and maintains equipment with appropriate RME disinfectant. Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster. Demonstrates safe body mechanics. Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status, reporting unusual changes to the RN. Report's information obtained from patients and or family and participates in developing a plan of care. Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients. Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training. Knowledge of safe handling practices. Knowledge and skill of medical terminology and observational skills sufficient to report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care. Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients. Knowledge of skills sufficient to assist in the teaching of patients in activities of daily living. Knowledge of basic human body structure, function, diseases, and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to his/her level. Knowledge of developmental needs (cognitive, emotional, physical, age related) of the young adult to the geriatric age category. Knowledge of aseptic techniques and skill in performing procedures requiring same. Demonstrates knowledge of proper body mechanics and skill in patient transfer procedures and other items requiring resident transfer or movement. Knowledge of special dietary needs. Work Schedule: 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], the EDRP Coordinator 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. 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. (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: None beyond the basic requirements. 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 transcript) AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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: 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 transcript) AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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 and over); straight pulling, walking, and repeated bending (up to 6 hrs); pushing and standing (up to 2 hrs); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); visual acuity 20/30 corrected; mental and emotional stability.

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: Michelle Rootes
• Phone: (907)257-3713
• Email: [email protected]