The incumbent practices as a Nursing Assistant within Inpatient Nursing Services of Montana VA Medical Center. This area serves adult and elderly Veterans. Patients often present with multiple chronic medical conditions, mental illness, or need pre- and post-operative care. The NA is responsible for the delivery of selected nursing activities to patients experiencing a variety of alterations in their physical, behavioral, acute and/or chronic psychiatric illnesses/substance dependency problems.

Duties

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: Adheres to VA and Nursing policies, procedures, and standards. Delivers care to patients in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. Maintains patient privacy/confidentiality and patient rights to privacy/confidentiality. Sets limits within the Nursing Assistant/patient relationship, which are clearly defined. Participates in selected Continuous Improvement (CI) activities as directed. Assists with selected activities related to patient admission/transfer and discharge. Collects patient information including observation of overall condition. Recognizes and reports obvious changes in patient condition including emergencies. Takes appropriate actions in response to patient emergent situations. Accurately documents patient information in CPRS. Provides patient information to the accountable RN for inclusion in the patient's plan of care. Completes assignment, reports to the accountable RN when assignment has been completed or when unable to complete activities. Uses appropriate lifting/moving/transfer techniques/devices. Utilizes infection control and universal standard precautions. Adjusts to assignment changes Participates in the interdisciplinary team care planning and delivery of care process. Assists in the implementation of the psychiatric treatment program as assigned. Supports the health care team through the reinforcement of patient education. Safely performs the following functions: a. Provides routine hygienic/activities of daily living care. b. Performs actions targeted to the maintenance/restoration of skin integrity. c. Collects patient specimens. d. Administers a variety of comfort measures. e. Takes vital signs after completion of orientation and competency validation. f. Follows seizure precautions as directed. g. Transports patients with oxygen. h. Appropriately uses protective/restraining devices. i. Feeds patients orally including those who are at risk for aspiration, after appropriate training. Uses therapeutic cushions appropriately. Recognizes communication barriers: (1) sensory deficits ie: hearing aid/s, vision loss (2) stage of disease ie: stroke, end of life Demonstrates correct moving and transferring techniques Demonstrates correct use of assistive devices for eating and dressing Assists with toileting activities as appropriate Monitors patients in restraints Demonstrates use of the following equipment: (1) Tub/scale (2) Special care beds (3) Geri chair (4) Vital signs monitor Applies heat and cold therapies, administers respiratory therapies. Applies and provides routine care for a condom catheter. Promotes skin healing through the application of noncomplex dressing changes and the application of ostomy appliances as delegated by the accountable RN. Offers physiological, psychological and spiritual comfort to the dying patient. Demonstrates the correct application of slings, splints and braces. Performs finger stick blood glucose using the blood glucose monitor. Recognizes safety risks related to dementia. Observes chest tubes. ff. Monitors continuous bladder irrigations. Assists the nurse in the application of traction and supportive devices. Ambulates patient with/without assistive devices and provides passive range of motion as directed by the RN. Monitors gastric/intestinal drainage and feeding tubes. Assists in the initiation of seclusion/behavioral management as directed. Performs urine drug screens and breathalyzers as needed. Floor assignments are made at the beginning of the tour of duty by the charge nurse/team leader of the unit to which the NA is assigned. Incumbent is responsible for performing duties communicated in writing or verbally from the Nurse Manager. Recurring, routine, daily assignments are performed independently. Deviations and problems are referred to the unit Nurse Manager of the unit for help or decision. The Nurse Manager reviews work, documentation, and requests feedback from patients and staff. The Nurse Manager provides supervision and general instruction, verifies time schedules, approves leave, and completes performance evaluations. During non-administrative tours, the Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD) provides general supervision and documents leave requests for the nurse manager. Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center Work Schedule: Rotating 24 HR Unit Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54114, 54115, 54116 - A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 USC Chapters 73 and 74. 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) a. Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant (Intermediate or Developmental Level) a. Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 b. 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 c. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, 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. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) a. 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 b. 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 c. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience or education above, 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. 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 (VHA 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: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders and patients who require restraints. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents.

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 Fort Harrison VA Medical Center 3687 Veterans Drive Fort Harrison, MT 59636 US
• Name: Barbara Ruicker
• Phone: 918-616-1494
• Email: [email protected]