The Nursing Assistant will provide a range of assistance and support for veteran patients by providing personal patient care, support for diagnostic procedures, performing technical nursing treatments as delegated by Nursing staff, appropriate documentation and offering basic patient instruction under the guidance of a Registered Nurse. The Nursing Assistant is an integral member of the nursing care team in direct service to veterans and families.

Duties

Supports Diagnostic Procedures Assistants physicians and nurses in the performance of diagnostic examinations. Assists with Technical Nursing Treatments Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of veteran patients receiving medical, surgical or skilled long term treatment. Observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints and appearance. Observes patients for any change in condition (deviation in color, pulse, respiration, temperature, and blood pressure) and reports them to the Registered Nurse. Reports the condition of wounds and skin and any reaction to or results of treatments. Direct Patient Care Provides a full range of patient care to complex patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems including personal nursing care, support duties and treatments. Uses good communication skills in dealing with patients, some of whom are unusually difficult to care for or communicate with. Provides effective action in emergency situations. Performs actions targeted to the maintenance/restoration of skin integrity by assisting nurses with turning patients and cleaning patients as needed. Assists nurses, preparing patients for transport to procedures by obtaining oxygen tanks or other needed equipment. Complies with universal precaution and with all infection control policies and procedures. Provides emotional patient and family care. Maintain patient privacy. Responds appropriately to emergency situations. Assists/completes clerical and transport functions as needed. Makes rounds to ensure visual contact, safety and comfort of each patient. Indirect Care Maintains a safe/clean work environment and completes assigned environmental duties. Demonstrates appropriate actions in environmental emergency situations. Employs appropriate lifting/moving, transfer and assistive devices and demonstrates safe and proper body mechanics. Utilizes equipment in a safe manner. Reports unsafe equipment and working conditions to appropriate individuals. Offers assistance to coworkers when needed. Participates in QI activities as directed. Practice cost effective measures in the use of supplies and equipment. Enters Information on the Patients' Records/Charts Enters specific information onto the patients' records using the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Enters information regarding the care rendered and the condition and progress of the patient. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care and/or basic patient education. Personal Patient Care Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient. Anticipates patients' routine care and comfort needs for psycho/social/spiritual well-being, personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, rehabilitation, safety, etc. Patient Teaching Teaches patients and family members the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care. Assists with specific health teaching, such as reminding diabetic patients of the importance for skin care and following a diet, reinforcing the importance of exercise and diet for the cardiac patients, etc. Encourages patients in self-care activities within their individual capacities as outlined on their care plan. Environment of Care Support professional staff and veterans as needed with maintaining a clean, safe environment of care. Cleans bedside tables, stocks linens, cleans wheelchairs and other direct resident care equipment using appropriate precautions. Patient Safety Use standard precautions and personal/patient protective devices. Recognizes and reports unsafe situations. Initiates appropriate emergency interventions. Maintains a safe/clean work environment, ensuring patient privacy. Participates in unit-based medical center and organizational in-services and continuing education activities. Adheres to dress-code policy. Completes all TMS in a timely manner. Work Schedule: 6:00 P.M.- 6:30 A.M. nights and alternating weekends Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 50321-A, 50322-A, 50323-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 19 ,2024. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*** 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 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 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 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 G46 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501 US
• Name: Maria Romero
• Phone: 970-263-5098
• Email: [email protected]