This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Southeastern Region, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 16), Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Nursing Service, New Orleans, Louisiana. The work involves personal patient care, supporting diagnostic procedures, technical nursing treatments, patient charting and patient teaching.

Duties

Employee will hold current BLS provider status. The employee will perform delegated tasks appropriate to the care of patients. The employee will function as a member of a clinical team to provide health care support to include but not limited to screening and data collection regarding patient's complaints, provide basic patient care, phlebotomy, and transport of patients. He/she will practice good infection prevention control procedures and techniques and will be familiar with the care and operation of any equipment necessary in the performance of duties. Employee will assist Registered Nurses (RN) with data collection needed to complete assessment of patients upon triage/admission. The Employee will assist the RN with data collection and direct care of patients as instructed by the RN. The employee will monitor patients awaiting assessment and report changes i1 the condition and/or behavior, as well as pertinent observations and clinical data to the RN. Nursing Assistant will be familiar with the care, maintenance, and operation of reusable medical equipment and other non-invasive devices utilized in the performance of their job duties The Nursing Assistant will establish and maintain non-invasive oxygen delivery devices." He/she will be required to perform CPR as a member of the team. Duties includes but are not limited to: Performs vital signs, intake and output, EKG's, Point-of Care (POC) testing, phlebotomy an collection and delivery of specimens according to protocol, as appropriate. Assists patients in and out of vehicles, wheelchairs, stretchers, etc., in a safe and efficient manner; and will transport unmonitored patients to procedures and/or to inpatient and/or outpatient sites of care. Provide 1:1 observation or constant observation while monitoring status designated patients awaiting transport to another level of care. Provides personal care such as bathing, shaving, mouth care, nail care and shampoo. Ambulates patients with or without assistive devices. Cares for patients on special frames/beds or with prosthetic devices. Feeds patients and administers tube feedings. Provides for bowel/bladder elimination needs. Administers enemas and inserts rectal suppositories for bowel elimination. Applies external catheters and inserts urinary catheters. Work Schedule: 9:30am - 18:00pm, rotating shifts 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

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. 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. 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). Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (2) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-3 [NA] (Entry Level) (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 [NA] (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; AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. (d) Assignment 1. 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 NA (Full Performance Level) 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, 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 In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS03 - GS05 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over Heavy carrying; 45 pounds and over; Pulling hand over hand 2-4 hours; Pushing 2-4 hours; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Standing and Walking 8 hours; Repeated bending 2-4 hours; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability mental 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.

Contacts

• Address New Orleans VA Medical Center 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 US
• Name: Rena Hairston
• Phone: 504-521-9608
• Email: [email protected]