The Nursing Assistant position is located in the float pool at the Wilmington VA Medical Center.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant assigned to the Float Team, and provides assistance to the nursing team, providers, and the other team members and has education and skill necessary to provide clinical support for the care of the adult and geriatric patients. Performs all duties under the direction of the RN and LPN. The NA may be assigned clinical and non-clinical duties. Work assignments may consist of clinical and environmental tasks. The NA possesses the personal qualities, desire and attitude necessary to adapt to rapidly changing demands on time. Assignments are made by the Nurse Manager/designee, the RN, or LPN. The NA performs all duties under the direction of the RN. Ability to implement a full range of nursing care to patients with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of an RN and/or LPN. Examples include care of patients with complex medical and behavioral diagnoses, non-sterile dressings, etc. Performs direct care including bathing, grooming, and toileting, EKG's, specimen collections, and other duties as assigned. Demonstrates appropriate communication and interpersonal skills with patients, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. Nursing Assistants reinforces the necessity to continue the 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, colostomy care and irrigations, etc. Keeps family informed of patient's progress. Gives patients and family after-care instructions, assist and/or leads therapeutic groups. Knowledge and ability to serve as a preceptor to new nursing assistants. Knowledge and skill of medical terminology and observational skills sufficient to report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care. Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient care situations and intervenes while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Demonstrates appropriate communication and interpersonal skills. Communicates pertinent information to team members regarding observations and interactions with patients and/or significant others which may affect the plan of care. Supports the team concept and functions as a team player. Contributes to team initiatives and continuously strives to improve the effectiveness of the team. Performs sifter duties according to the Standard Operating Procedure (Nursing Policy A-22) in any area of this facility when needed. Performs one to one direct observation for patients expressing suicidal or homicidal ideation (Center Memorandum No. 460-111.01) in the ED or in other areas of this facility when needed. Serves as support for patients, families, visitors, staff, etc. providing guidance and direction on hospital policy and procedures. The individual will demonstrate sensitivity and compassion in interactions. Complies and adheres to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for preprocessing/cleaning reusable medical equipment (RME) as defined by "Spaulding Classification." RME is classified as Critical Equipment-Class 1, Semi-Critical Equipment-Class and Non-Critical-Class 3; RME cleaning will be done in accordance to the schedule on the unit. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment. Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations. The NA contributes to maintaining infection control by utilizing proper aseptic technique in performance of duties and standard precautions in the care of all patients, especially those with communicable diseases and in isolation. Attends planned in-services and completes mandatory reviews and CPR, as directed. Work Schedule: Evening/night shifts, but includes rotating weekends and holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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: 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. English Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: At least one year one year in an acute care setting. Grade Determinations:GS-5 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 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. 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, lifting 45 pounds or more, reaching, stretching, and similar activities supporting various weights. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. 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, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The incumbent must be able to navigate all areas of the facility, use a keyboard, perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when necessary, as well as direct others to perform it, and perform other activities of the position without any restrictions.

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 Wilmington VA Medical Center 1601 Kirkwood Highway Wilmington, DE 19805 US
• Name: Victoria Williams
• Phone: 2026325875
• Email: [email protected]