The Nursing Assistant within this organization functions as a nursing care team member under close supervision and guidance. He/she is responsible for delivering safe, physical and emotional care to Veterans in an Urgent Care setting, while becoming familiar with technical nursing skills. The Urgent Care provides immediate, walk-in care for minor injuries and non-emergency illnesses that are not life-threatening but need early attention.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant within this organization functions as a nursing care team member under close supervision and guidance. He/she is responsible for delivering safe, physical and emotional care to Veterans in an Urgent Care setting, while becoming familiar with technical nursing skills. The Urgent Care provides immediate, walk-in care for minor injuries and non-emergency illnesses that are not life-threatening but need early attention. Duties include but are not limited to: Provides nursing care to Veterans according to established facility procedures adhering to all VA and nursing policies, procedures, standards and protocol. Nursing tasks are delegated and overseen by the Urgent Care provider and/or Urgent Care RN. Assist Veterans with bowel and bladder elimination as indicated, collects specimens as ordered, measures and records output as indicated, manages urinary drainage devices as directed per facility policy, performs bladder scans per facility policy. Assists to support respiratory function by positioning Veterans to promote breathing and maintain open airway, assists with set up and administration of oxygen therapy as ordered. Observe, maintain and promote skin integrity by following evidence-based practice guidelines, facility policies, procedures and protocols. Completes EKG procedures and provides immediate hand off of results to Urgent Care Provider or RN. Places patients on remote telemetry; demonstrating skin preparation, application of electrodes with appropriate placement, and how to replace battery. Verifies with nurse that Veteran has an order in place that permits the patient to be removed from telemetry for any reason prior to doing so. Initiates and/or assists with emergency measures, including maintaining airway, CPR, and protecting patients having seizures. Collects, labels laboratory specimens per facility practice as ordered. Transports laboratory specimens to laboratory as needed. Restocking supplies and cleaning rooms to prepare for patient evaluation. Provides direct customer service that is prompt, friendly, and cooperative. Resolves issues at the lowest level and in a timely manner. Uses safe and proper techniques when providing Veteran care and handling equipment, using Standard Precautions and personal protective equipment. Work Schedule: Full Time; four -10 hour shifts (0745-1815) rotating days with every other weekend and rotating holidays. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. This occupational series is eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Participants must sign a service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/13/2023 BASIC REQUIREMENTS: (a) Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) (b) 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. (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate is preferred but not required. Long-term care experience desired. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: GS-3 Grade Determinations: (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Grade Determinations: (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 (transcripts required); AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, 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. (d) Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the 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. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs or other healthcare professionals. 2. In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded [NAs], licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. GS-5 Grade Determinations: (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 (transcripts required); AND (c) Demonstrated 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. (d) Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff 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. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. 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 GS-3 through GS-5. Physical Requirements: The population of male and female Veterans served range from the adult, age 18, to the elderly adult; age 65 and over. St. Cloud VAHCS is an interdisciplinary facility, offering medical, surgical, and mental health inpatient services. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care, and long-term care in the areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, geriatrics, and transitional care. 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 Veterans and objects may be required. The Nursing Assistant may be exposed to infected Veterans and contaminated materials, and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The Nursing Assistant may occasionally be exposed to Veterans who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The Nursing Assistant must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Veteran needs.

Education

A copy of college transcripts is required at the time of application showing completion of one year of education above high school related to the NA occupation, or documentation showing completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant.

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 St Cloud VA Medical Center 4801 Veterans Drive St Cloud, MN 56303 US
• Name: Melinda Kuehl
• Phone: 6057452000 X22163
• Email: [email protected]