This position is located at the Community Living Center within the Coatesville Veterans Healthcare System in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The Nursing Assistant is a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Duties

Position Title: Nursing Assistant (Geriatrics and Extended Care) Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm or 3:30pm - 12:00am or 12:00am - 8:00am. Tours require flexibility. Major Duties: 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, etc. and reports to charge nurse. Performs procedures and complex medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures but not limited to: skin care including massage and dressings, application of braces, splints, and prosthetic devices, monitoring of intake and output, bathing and showering, insertion of indwelling catheters, bladder scanning, 12 lead EKGs, Sterile tracheostomy suctioning, administration of oxygen via cannula, specimen collection. 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 Utilizes lift equipment appropriately and safely to promote patient transfers; uses proper body mechanics. Maintains aseptic technique when performing specified procedures. Promotes the values of cultural transformation and Veteran-centered care to nursing staff in CLC. 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 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, Care Tracker, and other areas as required. Monitors Veterans for risk behaviors including, but not limited to, elopement, wandering, suicide, fall, behavior, and skin conditions; acting, when indicated, to include 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. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the unit Veterans with various medical, cognitive, and psychiatric conditions. Responds during emergencies, assists during fire drills, and responds to any safety issues as they arise. Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire, safety, and disaster regulations' practices and procedures, and communicates expectations to staff. Communicates supply needs to appropriate staff, when indicated. Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment(PPE)that promotes a safe workplace. Encourages other staff compliance with safety policies. 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 in a timely manner Participates in therapeutic group activities with the patient(s). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Telework: Not Available. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 USC Chapters 73 and 74. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) a. Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant (Intermediate or Developmental Level) a. Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 to the experience or education above, 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 Nursing Assistant (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 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, 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. NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46 (VHA Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard). 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: 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 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. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

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: Angela McFadden
• Phone: (314) 893-4821
• Email: [email protected]