The Portland, Oregon VA Medical Center is seeking innovative Nursing Assistants (NA) to become part of our Inpatient and Emergency Department Services Division to provide care to our Nation's Veterans. The NA is an important member of the healthcare team and provides direct patient care and administrative support as assigned by a Registered Nurse.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant is an important member of the healthcare team and provides direct patient care and administrative support as assigned by a Registered Nurse. Duties include, but are not limited to: 1) Providing assistance with bathing and personal hygiene needs, shower or bed bath, shaving, nail care, toileting, and activities of daily living; 2) Draining catheter bags; 3) Setting up meal trays and assisting with feeding, monitors and documents food/fluid intake and output; 4) Uses appropriate safe patient handling (SPH) equipment for patient turns, re-positioning and transfers to minimize risk of injury to patient and self; urns and repositions bed-ridden patients regularly to prevent skin breakdown. 5) Keeps patient area clean and tidy, removes excess clutter, and makes beds; 6) Answers the call light and performs bedside rounding; and 7) Room set up for admission, and breakdown for discharges. At all times the incumbent demonstrates effective and professional communication skills with the patient and family, especially with clients experiencing behavioral issues, depression, anger, irritation, suicide ideation, substance abuse withdrawal and pain or discomfort. The NA identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient situations including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition, or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. The NA takes direction and assists team members in the care and treatment of the ill receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, or inpatient treatment. The incumbent observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient vital signs, behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. The NA reports atypical or abnormal capillary blood glucose (CBG) results and vital signs lo the nurse immediately. Ensures two patient identifiers for all tests conducted, e.g., ECG's and CBG's. The NA provides appropriate level care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior, including the severely depressed, suicidal, or homicidal patient, and the drug or alcohol abuse patient. Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance. Provides nursing treatment for acutely ill patients whose needs require advance skill such as placing patient on cardiac monitor, taking EKG's(DS). Assists team members in the performance of bedside diagnostic examinations and therapies by ensuring patient privacy, setting up with equipment and supplies and performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, preparing and positioning the patient, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests. Maintains cleanliness and removes unnecessary items from the immediate procedural area. Observes universal precautions and facility workplace guidelines at all times. Reports to the nurse observations of the condition of acute or chronically ill patients that occur, such as excessive bleeding, vomiting, profuse bleeding type and amount of drainage, skin integrity, patency of airway, etc. Enters specific information onto patients' records or charts, including vital signs and daily weights. Follows designated charting technique to post to patients' charts that provides a daily outline or summary of the patient's care. Documents pertinent information inducing current health status, and/or subtle changes in the patient's biopsychosocial status. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care and/or patient teaching. Teaches patients and family members the necessity to continue recommended therapeutic procedures for proper health care. Provides specific health information based on patient's condition, e.g., acceptance of limited physical mobility, proper body mechanics, pre- and postoperative breathing techniques, etc. Refers inquires as appropriate to professional nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Work Schedule: Days, Nights, Evenings, Weekends, and Holidays 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

Requirements

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: 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 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistant 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-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant (Developmental Level) 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. AND 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 residents' 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.4. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs 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: 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. Note: To receive full consideration at the GS-4 and 5 levels, you must clearly describe how you meet these KSAs in your resume; we cannot make assumptions regarding your experience. Preferred Experience: - Preferred candidates will have 6 months of hospital nursing assistant experience - Preferred candidates will be Certified Nursing Assistants - Preferred candidates will have medical terminology knowledge and experience References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, 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: 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. Mechanical patient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to patients with active infections and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in certain situations. 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, and be able to shift priorities based on patient needs. If applicable, the incumbent may be required to complete screening or testing through Employee Health. The incumbent who provides care in other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

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 Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Esther Taylor
• Email: [email protected]