This position is located at the Coatesville VAMC within the Mental Health Service Line.

Duties

The NA may perform theses duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides direct patient care to complex Veterans as assigned including all aspects of personal care and grooming. Assists the RN, LPN, and other members of the interdisciplinary team with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veteran's care needs. Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition. Makes observations of changes in patient's condition, i.e., escalating behaviors, mood, skin integrity, vital signs, appetite, skin coloration, bowel and bladder control, hydration, reports to charge nurse, etc. Performs procedures and basic medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN according to policies and standard procedures to care for Veterans. Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. Participates in maintaining a clean and safe environment. Removes defective equipment and reports safety hazards immediately. Promotes the values of cultural transformation, Pathways to Excellence and Patient centered care to nursing staff. Actively seeks Veteran preferences in care plan participation and goal development. Offers suggestions to improve the Veteran's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functions and quality of life. This would include suggestions for recovery, restorative or rehabilitative care. Supports and enhances Veteran self-determination. Treats the Veteran with dignity and respect. Consistently follows policies, SOPS, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control. Reports required information for hand-off communication to charge nurse and co-workers, including to other members of the interdisciplinary team and other applicable staff and departments, and completes the necessary documentation for these duties. Communicates effectively with others involved in the Veteran's care. Under the direction of the RN, the NA educates Veterans on their care needs as appropriate to NA skill level. Communicates professionally and courteously with families and significant others, as appropriate. Completes all assigned routine documentation in CPRS and other areas as required. Monitors Veterans for risk behaviors including, but not limited to, elopement, wandering, suicide, fall, behavior, and skin conditions. Takes action, when indicated, by communicating to appropriate personnel when further intervention is needed and completing necessary documentation. Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for Veterans and communicates appropriately with family members. Responds during emergencies, assists during fire drills, and responds to any safety issues as they arise. Communicates supply needs to appropriate staff, when indicated. Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promote a safe workplace. Initiates appropriate safety interventions when safety becomes a risk to staff and Veterans. Demonstrates competency in Levels 1-4 of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB), including performing all verbal and physical aspects of therapeutic containment. Demonstrates competency in the use of mechanical restraints, including but not limited to application of restraints, monitoring and removal. Attends interdisciplinary team meetings and contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Veteran's treatment plan. Participates on committees/ task forces, research projects, or in developing educational materials/media when requested. Participates in quality improvement activities. Under the direction of the RN, the NA assists with discharge planning needs of Veterans, as well as the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care. Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills. Completes mandatory education BLS requirements and required Level 1-4 prevention and maintenance of disruptive behavior when due for completion. Maintains required health screening annually. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Varies Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 / Nursing Assistant - MHRRTP Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Experience and Education: 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; AND, Demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 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; AND, Demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, abilities: 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. Preferred Experience: Working in mental health settings. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81, PART II, APPENDIX G46 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: Heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds); heavy carrying (up to 50 pounds); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hear (aid permitted); 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 Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Samantha Holt
• Phone: 423-741-7737
• Email: [email protected]