Job opening: Nursing Assistant (Inpatient Mental Health) OPEN CONTINUOUS
Salary: $34 050 - 55 597 per year
Published at: Nov 15 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 31, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 27, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.
Duties
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Complete all care assignments in a safe and timely manner
Actively participate in unit level quality improvement activities and attends huddles, team meetings, and assigned committees.
Complete applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to Intake/Output, daily weights, vital signs, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification.
Use the appropriate equipment for safe patient handling to include but not limited to: SCDs, bladder scanner, Bucks tractions, lift equipment, CPM, glucometer to include maintenance of quality controls as applicable.
Adhere to all reusable medical equipment (RME) standard operating procedures.
Participate in the equipment inventory process.
Implement the appropriate interventions to prevent/reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers and patient falls under the direction of the RN/LVN.
Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures, but not limited to: catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.
May assist with surgical skin preparation to include hair clipping and holding limbs.
Participate in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the Veteran.
Maintain BLS certification and demonstrates proper procedure in initiating CPR.
Transport patients safely and professionally as assigned using hand-off communication tool.
Transport medication, supplies, equipment, blood and specimens and any other transport needs as directed.
Monitor patients according to levels of observation i.e. 1:1 veterans as well as veterans in a close observation status in accordance with facility policies.
Age differences - deliver nursing care that reflects the various phases of the life cycle from 18 to 85 years and over.
Perform other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider.
Provide assistance with coordination of daily activities under the direction of RN/LVN.
Provide assistance to all levels of clinical and non-clinical staff when warranted and within level of competence and scope of practice as indicated within the unit specific competencies.
Work Schedule: Rotating Shift to include Nights/Weekends/Holidays. 8-12 hour tours: Day: 07:30am to 4:00pm; Day: 7:30am to 8:00pm; Day: 11:30am to 8:00pm; Evening 3:30pm to Midnight; Night: 7:30pm to 08:00am; Night-11:00p.m. to 8:00am
Compressed/Flexible:No
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grandfathering Provision. 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-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)
Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 Nursing Assistant
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,
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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED);
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
b. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
c. 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. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED);
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
a. 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.
b. 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.
c. 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:
1-2 year experience working on inpatient medical, or mental health unit
Current BLS required
Basic Microsoft Skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Good customer service and communication skills
Certified Nursing Assistant
References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46. Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-0621, March 12, 2015.
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: Moderate lifting/carrying, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (1 hours); Pushing (1-3 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; 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; Specific visual requirement 20/40 DVA corrected; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be 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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital
7400 Merton Minter Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78229
US
- Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
- Email: [email protected]
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