The primary purpose of this position is to perform a wide range of patient care, diagnostic services, treatment, and charting activities in the acute medicine unit. The objectives for care are set in the treatment plan as established by the multidisciplinary treatment team. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to encourage patient efforts towards goals for recovery and maintains a safe environment.

Duties

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until January 17, 2024. The initial cutoff date for referral of eligible applications will be December 17, 2023. 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. *** Operates Equipment and Determines Technical Factors Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment, instruments and monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, and camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN. Notifies RN of results and ensures original results are made part of the permanent record. Maintains administrative and clinical files. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed or patient is discharged. Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting and eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations, ex: cardio-pulmonary arrests, Disruptive Behavior incidents, fires, disasters etc. Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Obtains release forms. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance or referral for special assistance. Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs and weight and checking patients and their belongings or hazardous items. Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of clients receiving medical care. Observes, documents, and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, appearance, vital signs and/or changes in the patients' condition that may be related to medications, sensory distortions or medical conditions. Reports reactions to/responses to treatment. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Delivers meals and /or snacks to patients and assists as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding and assisting patients as needed in activities of daily living. Accompanies/escorts patients on activities and to appointments, treatments etc. in other areas of the hospital or off hospital grounds. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms, collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Uses hot/cold packs as ordered. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with Nursing Procedure grid) such as removing peripheral IVs, electrocardiograms, bladder scan, venipuncture for collection of blood specimen, finger-sticks for glucose determination. Assists patients with adjusting simple supportive equipment. Assists the professional nurse and medical staff with specialized procedures: biopsy, lumbar puncture, electroconvulsive therapy etc. Performs more extensive, complex procedures, ex: dressing changes, insertion of foley catheter. Interprets requests or instructions from medical or health care personnel. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures in accordance with Nursing Procedure Grid. Employee understands and carries out the request made by the health care professional or seeks assistance for uncommon, unique, or new procedures. Provides personal patient care, and educating patients on pre-testing and post procedure activities. Documents patients' physical and emotional status and response to nursing interventions, using the problem oriented medical record format. Promotes a sense of ego integrity, self-worth and dignity by acknowledging patients' acceptable behavior and progress toward recovery. Work Schedule: Full-time rotating shifts Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53340-O/53341-O/53342-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. English Language Proficiency: NA's must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Education or Training: Meet one of the following requirements. One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. OR 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. Grandfathering Provisions: All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on 03/12/2015 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: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to 03/12/2015 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. 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 Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 NA: 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: 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. Assignment: 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. 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 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, 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. Assignment: This is the full performance level for NAs. 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, sub acute 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46The 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. 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: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The position requires the nurse to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.

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 SALT LAKE CITY HCS 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: Dominique Johnson
• Phone: 801-582-1565
• Email: [email protected]