This position is within the Surgery and Dental Procedural Units service located at the Audie Murphy Veterans Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, TX.

Duties

Nursing Assistant Duties Your primary purpose as a Nursing Assistant in the Surgery and Dental Procedural Units will be to serve as a member of the nursing team. You will perform a variety of nursing assignments in the outpatient surgery and clinic setting. This position performs tasks such as recording vital signs, completing EKGs, testing and monitoring of blood glucose, administering care to patients, providing support to providers and nurses in the performance of personal care. Responsible for independently initialing and performing a wide variety of recurring administrative and clerical duties associated with patient care scheduling in the Operating Room (OR). Possesses skills in establishing priorities of tasks to be completed when perioperative health care members make simultaneous requests. Assists with expediting emergency requests in day-to-day patient care. You may assist with diagnostic examinations. You will communicate respectfully with patients, family/significant other/co-workers and peers. Excellent customer service and communication skills are required. Tasks include: maintaining patient flow (rooming patients) in a busy high-volume environment, room turnover, set-up/take down of rooms for outpatient procedures and assisting providers and other nursing staff with minor procedures. You will ensure patient care areas are clean, stocked and ready. Equipment will be clean/sterile and in working order. You will monitor equipment and supplies for outdates and assist with repeat blood pressures, patient transfers, general transporting of patients, lab and pharmacy running for clinic. You will be required to enter specific information into the patients' electronic records or charts using standard medical terminology for the human body, physical and emotional reactions, nursing care, and contraindications to medications, etc. Basic computer skills will be essential to performing your duties as a C.N.A. You will be required to monitor patients who are disoriented and in need of constant direction. You will be required to work as a team in improving patient care. You will be required to perform other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts between the hours of 0600 -1730. Monday-Friday days generally but may include Saturday coverage on occasion. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: GS-3/4/5 Nursing Assistant Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. 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-03, Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04, Nursing Assistant Experience. One year f 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), Nursing Assistant 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 KS As 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. Assignment. [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, subacute 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. Note: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(l)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005. Preferred Experience: 1-2-year experience required assist with patient transport to the Operating Room. Knowledge checking blood glucose levels with an AcuChek or similar device. Cleaning of reusable medical devices (i.e., equipment and shelves). Transport specimens to the lab. Pick up biologicals and blood products from the blood bank. Restock fluid/blanket warmers. 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 GS-3/4/5. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-35 pounds, Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-35 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Straight pulling, 1 hour, Pushing, 1-3 hours, reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Walking, 4 hours, Standing, 2-7 hours, Kneeling, 2 hours, repeated bending, 2 hours, Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Visual acuity: 20/40 DVA; corrected, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing aid (permitted), Sitting, 8 hours, Simple grasping, 2-4 hours, Fine manipulation, including keyboarding, 4-6 hours, Twisting, 2 hours, Mental and emotional stability.

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.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]