This position is within the Coatesville VA Medical Center Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care ream and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Duties

The responsibilities of the Nursing Assistant includes, but are not limited to the following description: Provide direct patient care to complex Veterans as assigned, including aspects of personal care and grooming. Assist the RN, LPN, and other members of the interdisciplinary team with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veteran's care needs. Perform support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition. Make observations of changes in patient's condition, i.e., escalating behaviors, mood, skin integrity, vital signs, appetite, skin coloration, bowel and bladder control, hydration, etc. Perform procedures of basic medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures but not limited to: Obtaining vital signs/height/weight, intake and output, specimen collection, hot/cold compresses, bathing/showering/general hygiene/personal care, oral hygiene, dressing, escorting patients, incontinent care/toileting, patient observation, ROM, etc. Promote Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence. Participate in maintaining a clean and safe environment. Remove defective equipment and reports safety hazards immediately. Promote the values of cultural transformation, Pathways to Excellence, and Patient-Centered care to nursing staff. Actively seeks Veteran preferences in care plan participation and goal development. Offers suggestions to improve Veteran's Activity of Daily Living (ADL) functions and quality of life. This includes suggestions for recovery, restorative or rehabilitative care. Support and enhance Veteran self-determination. Treat the Veteran with dignity and respect. Consistently follows policies, SOPs, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control. Report required information for hand-off communication to charge nurse and co-workers, including other members of the interdisciplinary team and other applicable staff and departments, and complete the necessary documentation for these duties. Communicate effectively with others involved in the Veteran's care. Under direction of the RN, educate Veterans on their care needs as appropriate to NA skill level. Communicate professionally and courteously with families and significant others, as appropriate. Complete all assigned routine documentation in CPRS and other areas as required. Monitor Veterans for risk behaviors including, but not limited to elopement, wandering, suicide, fall, behavior and skin conditions. Take action, when indicated, by communicating to appropriate personnel when further intervention is needed and compete necessary documentation. Exercise skill in influencing and communicate with unusually difficult to care for Veterans and communicate appropriately with family members. Respond during emergencies, assist during fire drills, and respond to any safety issues as they arise. Demonstrate self-direction in applying knowledge of fire, safety, and disaster regulation practices and procedures, and be able to communicate expectations to staff. Communicate supply needs to appropriate staff, when indicated. Use proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promote a safe workplace. Initiate appropriate safety interventions when safety becomes a risk to staff and Veterans. Demonstrate competency in Levels 1-4 of Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB), including performing all verbal and physical aspects of therapeutic containment. Demonstrate competency in the use of mechanical restraints, including but not limited to application of restraints, monitoring, and removal. Attend interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Veteran's treatment plan. Participate on committee/task forces, research projects, or in developing educational materials/media when requested. Under direction of the RN, assist with discharge planning needs of Veterans, as well as the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care. Actively seek educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills. Complete mandatory education BLS requirements and prevention and maintenance of disruptive behavior in a timely manner. Maintain required health screening annually. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm, with rotating weekends and holidays. Varying TOD may be required. Telework: This is not a telework position. 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 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. English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: For GS-3 NA (Entry Level): Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NA are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. For GS-4 NA: Experience: One (1) 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. Assignment: (1) 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. (2) In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists 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 who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded NAs, or other healthcare professionals. For GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level): Experience: One (1) 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): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. 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. NOTE: Students/trainees may be appointed in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D). See Part II, Chapter 3, paragraph 5 of VA Handbook 5005. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, GS-621 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard 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: 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. This position requires the physical capability of performing PMDB Levels 1-4, including therapeutic containment which may include but is not limited to stooping, reaching, bending, lifting 35 lbs. or more, holding, kneeling, reaching for potentially prolonged periods of time. This position requires the physical capabilities related to the use of mechanical restraints. 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 mist be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive 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 Coatesville VA Medical Center 1400 Black Horse Hill Road Coatesville, PA 19320 US
• Name: Britni Briscoe
• Phone: 443-648-1037
• Email: [email protected]