This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Service provides care and rehabilitation to Veterans who have incurred spinal cord injuries. The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides direct and indirect care to SCI Veteran patients and is a member of the multidisciplinary treatment team motivating patients toward treatment goals. These Veterans have a wide range of spinal cord injuries, often accompanied by acute and chronic medical complications. Treatment objectives are established by the treatment team and delegated to the Nursing Assistant. The NA has roles and responsibilities commensurate with grade, GS-3 is entry level and is closely supervised, GS-4 is a developmental level meant to develop skills and experience, and GS-5 is the full performance level. The CNA provides clinical support for the SCI Veteran under the direction and delegation of the Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The CNA on the SCI Unit practices and adheres to a high level of respect and knowledge of Veteran rights and protects vulnerable and frail Veterans. The SCI CNA functions as member of the multidisciplinary team and assists the RN and LPN in the care of Veteran patients with acute and chronic spinal cord injury needs and acute and chronic medical complications. The CNA will observe, record, and report changes in behavior, provide reassurance and encouragement, and provide input and feedback concerning effectiveness of interventions. Some of the roles and responsibilities include: Basic technical skills. Demonstrate basic technical skills which facilitate an optimal level of functioning for patients, recognizing individual, cultural, and religious diversity. Perform support duties using initiative without specific direction. Proficient in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Take and record vital signs. Measure and record height and weight. Measure and record fluid and food intake and output. Recognize and report abnormal signs and symptoms of common diseases and conditions. Demonstrate sensitivity to patient's emotional, social, and mental health needs. Act as preceptor for newly hired orientees and mentor for established CNAs as expert in nursing support. Personal care skills. Demonstrate basic personal care skills. Provide special attention to details of care including honoring patient's personal preference related to activities of daily living care (AOL). Assist patient with bathing, mouth and skin care, and grooming and dressing. Provide toilet assistance. Assist with eating and hydration. Utilize proper feeding techniques. Transport or assist with transport as directed. Mental health and social service needs. Demonstrate the ability to identify psychosocial characteristics of all patients including persons with mental illness, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and related disorders. Modify his/her own behavior in response to the patient's behavior. Identify adaptations necessary to accommodate the aging process. Incorporate principles and skills of restorative nursing in providing nursing care. Demonstrate knowledge and skill in using assistive devices in ambulation, eating, and dressing. Demonstrate proper techniques for turning/positioning a patient in bed and chair. Demonstrate proper techniques for transferring a patient. Demonstrate knowledge about methods for meeting the elimination needs of patients. Demonstrate knowledge and skill for the care and use of prosthetic devices. Infection control. Use procedures and techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms. Act as preceptor to teach infection control. Act as mentor for established CNAs as expert in infection control. Use principles of medical asepsis and demonstrate infection control techniques and universal precautions. Demonstrate knowledge of cleaning agents and methods which destroy microorganisms on surfaces. Rules and regulation knowledge. Demonstrate knowledge and be responsive to laws and regulations including patient abuse and neglect, patient complaint procedures, workers right to know, and pertinent regulatory standards. Follow facility policies and procedures. Precept and mentor staff related to facility policies and procedures, especially as related to Certified Nursing Assistant and Spinal Cord Injury Services. Proficient and competent providing care to patients with complex nursing needs which may vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Work Schedule: Varied days and may include weekends/holidays; 7:30am - 4pm, 7:30am - 8pm, 7:30pm - 8am, 11:30pm-8am. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. (Must provide transcripts and/or certificate) 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 3. Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4: 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. (Must provide transcripts) AND In addition to the above experience/education, 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 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. (Must provide transcripts) AND In addition to the above experience/education, 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, March 12, 2015. 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 work requires heavy lifting (45lbs) or over, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted) visual acuity 20/30 corrected, mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include working with hands in water and working closely with others.

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 Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Jovita Murphy
• Phone: 253-583-3850
• Email: [email protected]