The Nursing Assistant (NA) position is located in the Ambulatory Care and is an integral part of a team of nursing staff that consistently demonstrates knowledge of patient care, utilizes critical thinking skills, clinical competence and knowledge of the practices and procedures which she/he coordinates at the patient bedside.

Duties

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Perform a variety of nursing care activities which include bathing, lifting, turning, feeding and related personal hygiene duties. Performs EKG testing. Perform phlebotomy for tests as ordered by a physician. Labels specimens in accordance with facility policy and standard operating procedures. Duties may also include transport activities (transfer of patients to and from procedures/units) and delivering lab specimens to laboratory. Measure and record vital signs, intake and output, and weights. Initiate saline lock. Routinely checks for patency/inflammation/infiltration. Performs oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal and tracheal suctioning, performs routine tracheotomy care, instructs patient in use of incentive spirometer. Demonstrates knowledge of side effects of selected medication such as psychotropic drugs in geriatric population. Assists with procedures, including preparing equipment and supplies, having all necessary items present, and in preparing the patient for the procedure. Clips the operative site according to procedure. Assists with the discharge process and appropriate hand off reporting as needed to maintain patient flow. Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Perform and documents finger sticks as ordered and necessary. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care- simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Responds appropriately to emergency situations such as cardiopulmonary arrest; provides for environmental safety, security and veterans privacy. Assist in the prevention of hospital acquired complications such as pressure ulcers through the frequent repositioning; through hand hygiene, via use of aseptic techniques and teaches patient/family the same. Coordinates and transports patients from ED/PACU/SDS/inpatient wards or other destinations as needed. Ensuring appropriate level of equipment and ancillary support to meet the Veteran needs. Uses appropriate PPE and knows correct procedure for transporting patients in isolation. Knowledge and skill sufficient to participate effectively in emergency situations such as Code Blue, Code Purple, Code Red, Code Silver, internal disasters, etc. Displays an attitude of caring, compassion, commitment, courtesy and competence toward all Veterans and their families by treating them as customers, greeting them with a smile, referring to them by name, responding to their needs, maintaining confidentiality and treating them with dignity and respect at all times. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00015-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 Nursing Assistant (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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-05: Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, appointment to the GS-05 grade level requires 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 below; OR 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with Phlebotomy References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G -46 Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Overton Brooks VA Medical Center 510 East Stoner Avenue Shreveport, LA 71101 US
• Name: Theresa Morehart
• Phone: 501-522-4386
• Email: [email protected]