Job opening: Nursing Assistant - Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit
Salary: $35 554 - 58 054 per year
Published at: Aug 18 2023
Employment Type: Intermittent
This intermittent/PRN position is located in the Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit within Harry S Truman Veteran's Hospital in Columbia, MO.
Duties
Ensures the physical and emotional environment is consistent with Veteran Centered Care. Responds to Veterans calls for assistance promptly, and interacts with the Veteran in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Under the direction of the RN, administers complete personal care to veterans 18 years through the geriatric years. These Veterans have unique age related and gender specific structural and functional changes that affect their response to care and assistance. This care may include but is not limited to:
Restorative care
Hygiene
Assistance with ADLS (meals, baths, nutrition, ambulation, dressing, etc.)
Elimination and nutrition.
Vital signs
Specimen collection/phlebotomy (blood, sputum, urine, stool)
Breathalyzer
Monitoring of patients on precautions (suicide, homicide, medical equipment, elopement, restraints, seclusion)
Laundry
Ostomy care (empty bags)
Catheter care and discontinuation
Peg tube care
Basic life support
Documentation
Discontinuation of IV
Turning and repositioning Veterans
Transporting Veterans
Stocking rooms and supply carts
Suctioning of the oral cavity (no deep suctioning)
Range of motion (passive and active)
Splint and brace care
Therapeutic verbal de-escalation
Restraint care
Bladder Scans
Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Intermittent; tours vary
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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 requirement for GS-3.
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. See below.
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
Quality of Experience: To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.
Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.
Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
(a) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 NA
(a) 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,
(b) 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
(c) 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 NA (Full Performance Level)
(a) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below;
OR,
(b) 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
(c) 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.
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-3 to GS-5.
Preferred Experience: Mental Health settings
References: Veterans Health Administration, VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46
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, pushing, and reaching over head. Transferring patients and objects may be required. 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 if required for the specific area they are assigned, as a condition of employment. Incumbent may be exposed, on a short-term basis to fumes, dust, and other debris. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move 45 pounds or more. This employee must be able to carry 45 pounds' short distances. This position potentially requires flexibility in schedule and assignments, as this is a 24/7 hospital and is an essential function of the position.
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 Harry S Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital
800 Hospital Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
US
- Name: Kelly Cummins
- Phone: 720-309-5521
- Email: [email protected]
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