This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services/Perioperative Services. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct and indirect patient care in collaboration with the perioperative team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN).

Duties

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 29, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 15, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis OR until positions are filled.*** Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Performs and fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe and effective patient care with the appropriate level of training. All tasks, assignments, and activities will be under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a RN. Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Don the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution. Complies with safety rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection. Performs a variety of nursing care tasks, including assisting with changing clothes, pre-procedure skin preparation, clipping of hair, specimen collection, positioning, turning and lifting patients. Follows ECHCS and nursing service policies and procedures for accurately documenting personal belongings and securing patients' belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures, hearing aids, eyes, and limbs. Provides emotional support to patient/families and respects patient's rights and dignity, including privacy and confidentiality. Transports patient from check in area, to inpatient units, and final disposition as needed. Checks rooms throughout the day, removes extra equipment, places furniture in proper place and restocks rooms as directed. Keeps supply rooms, and patient equipment carts orderly. Restock equipment carts with established par levels. Report issues with supply levels or restocking to the charge nurse or unit management. Check for expired products, and discard items with past expiration dates. Takes patient vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, height and weight, recording in the electronic medical record. Accurately measures intake and output. Uses aseptic or sterile technique with treatments or simple dressing as requested by RN. Observes IV sites for redness and swilling. Report any change in condition or findings to the RN. Complete EKG testing as directed by the RN. Applies safety devices as directed by the RN. Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation if indicated, in accordance with established medical Center Policy. Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient's condition, behavior and/or attitude. Ensure that all stretchers have full oxygen tanks prior to transport, and changes oxygen tanks as needed or requested. Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices. Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self or others. Demonstrates a commitment to diversity principles by supporting the facility's Equal Employment Opportunities and Affirmative Action Programs. Interacts with patients and other employees in accordance with facility policies by professionally executing assigned duties and responsibilities in accordance with the guidelines. Promptly reports all accidents to RN, Charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor. Notifies responsible parties of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions. Corrects safety hazards promptly. Puts broken equipment out of service immediately, tags it as such, and submits a Maximo request for repair. Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner. Follows appropriate standard operating procedures related to the equipment, devices, and work practices that impact or have the potential to impact the environment. Will comply with relevant environmental regulations, Executive Orders, and Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) initiatives. Properly handles, reprocesses, and maintains reusable medical equipment according to unit policy, SOP's, and VHA directives. Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge. Completes orientation, unit-based in-services, and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by established timeframes. Identifies own deficits in skills and knowledge and acts to correct performance. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:00am-2:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53513-A 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. Grade Determinations: GS-03: None beyond the basic requirements GS-04: 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; 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-05: 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; In addition, 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. Preferred Experience: Preferable NA experience greater than 1 year References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 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: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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 Eastern Colorado HCS Denver 13611 E. Colfax Ave Aurora, CO 80045 US
• Name: Barbara Ruicker
• Phone: 918-616-1494
• Email: [email protected]