This Nursing Assistant position is located in Specialty/Acute Care Service at the Bedford VA Healthcare System, located in Bedford, Massachusetts. It is full time at 40 hours per week. This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the Specialty and Acute Care (SAC) Service Line carrying a variety of duties with the direction and support of SAC leadership, nurses and providers. The position will support Bedford main campus and its' Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). Occasional travel will be required to the CBOCs. Assists with Urgent Care and Specialty Clinic related tasks as requested by provider/licensed staff. Cleans and disinfects patient care rooms and maintain facility cleanliness of environment. Evaluates and determines what the provider will need during the evaluation and treatment of a patient with multiple chronic health problems to enhance workflow and processing. Assists the provider within the performance of any procedure including, but not limited to joint aspirations, I&D's, biopsies, excisions, and suturing. Follows all standard processes regarding all podiatry and other equipment and all reusable medical equipment that follow the manufacturer's instructions, infection prevention and control principles. Communicates and demonstrates these processes and principles when procedures using, and processing Podiatry equipment and all reusable medical equipment are performed. Demonstrates and articulates 100% compliance with manufacturer's instruction or established standard operating procedures in the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment and or surgical instruments and in the care of disinfecting of all podiatry or other equipment.. Escorts patients for all tests and procedures on and off campus, if needed. Performs and records vital signs for EKG's. Measure and record heights and weights. Collects specimens such as, but not limited to urine/stool, throat/wound cultures, phlebotomy, FS blood glucoses, breathalyzers and COVID-19 swabs. Performs physical and hygienic assistance, as needed. Obtains and records clinical reminders, as instructed. Monitors and restocks medical supplies and linen and assure medical equipment is in operating order. Performs other duties, as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Nursing Assistant / Assigned upon selection Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notifications: Positions are National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Bargaining Unit positions. Position covered by locality-based comparability pay. This position is in the Excepted Service. 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, and pushing. 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 insolation 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 flexible and sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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 English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English 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 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Intermediate/Developmental level 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 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. GS-5 Full Performance Level Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to theGS-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 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 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. IMPORTANT: For all grades you must submit verification of Education or Training that demonstrates:One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation or 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.Failure to submit the appropriate supporting documentation with application may result in loss of consideration under this announcement. References: Handbook 5005, 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. Preferred experience: One (1) to two (2) years of direct patient care experience.

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 Bedford Healthcare System 200 Springs Road Bedford, MA 01730 US
• Name: Denise Lindsey
• Phone: 916-776-0180
• Email: [email protected]