The Nursing Assistant (NA) is located in the Nursing/Patient Care Services 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): Aide in personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, showering, dressing, oral/denture care, nail care, shaving/hair care, skin care, bed making. Positioning and movement of patients to include maintain body alignment of patients, position and turn patients, walking patients, range of motion with patients and transfer techniques. Assist with nutrition and fluids by providing meal preparation assistance, run errands to get groceries if needed, and report any nutritional concerns to Registered Nurse. Observe, report and record patient bowel and bladder function. Assist patients with bed pans, urinals, dispose of waste properly, apply external urinary draining devices. Provides emotional support by interacting with patients and families, helping them to feel comfortable. Utilize effective communication skills such as observing, listening, reflecting and identifying non verbal messages and recognize communication barriers. Follow Standard Precautions to include hand washing, utilizing Personal Protective Equipment, follow isolation procedures and maintain a clean and safe workspace when providing care. Recognizes emergency situations, calls for help, initiates emergency procedures until help arrives and continues to be available to the response team until the emergency is resolved. Adheres to all facility and community-based safety regulations and safety measure related to patients at risk for falling. Maintains a high level of privacy and dignity of patients to ensure implementation of safeguarding confidential patient information. Collects and delivers specimens as directed to include recording and reporting blood glucose testing. Takes and records temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, pulses oximetry, height and weight. Records patients pain rating using approved rating scales and reports any changes in vital signs including patient condition to the RN. Recognizes and respects patients cultural, spiritual, religious backgrounds and beliefs and the right to choose. Provides assistance with simple housekeeping tasks to include meal preparation, dust, vacuum, sweep, straighten up, wash dishes, clean bathrooms/kitchen, laundry, dispose of trash and changing linens. Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00347-F, 667-00348-F, 667-00349-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-03: Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-04: Experience and Education: In addition to the basic requirements, appointment to the GS-04 grade level requires 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 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: 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-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. 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 in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: Physical Demands: 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. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles. Work Environment: Work is performed in the home 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 and requires working closely with others.

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]