The Nursing Assistant position is located at the Columbia VA Health Care System and surrounding areas of Columbia, SC .The Nursing Assistant (NA) will function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides complete personal hygiene needs. Turns and repositions patients to maintain proper body alignment, lifts, ambulates, and transfers patients. Promotes the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self-care activities such as progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, and oral care, also assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating, dressing, undressing, and bladder and other training as needed. Performs glucometer testing and documents in CPRS. Performs I & 0 on patients and documents their input and output on the sheet in the room. Sits with patients as ordered and documents in CPRS every 2 hours as to patient's status. Sits with patients on Suicide Precautions and documents in CPRS every 15 minutes Cleans reusable medico! equipment on the unit and maintains a neat and orderly patient care environment. Takes, records vital signs, weights, neurological checks, and circulatory checks. Reports change of status to RN Escorts non-critical patients to appointments in a safe and cautious manner. Assists in getting patients out of bed and returning to bed after escorting. Perform Trach Care as needed on patients with a tracheotomy as well as nasal and oral suctioning. Perform in and out catheter for specimen collection and retention Insert Foley catheters and give catheter care Administer tube feedings Perform colostomy irrigations Assures oxygen is properly obtained and connected, including during transport. Recognizes arrest situations initiating CPR Performs other duties as assigned by management. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 7:30pm; 7;00am to 3:30pm; 11:00am to 7:30pm; 11:00am to 11:30pm; 3:00pm to 11:30pm; 7:00pm to 7:30am. Actual tour of duty to be determined by leadership. Compressed/Flexible:Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD01135A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not available Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not available Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizen). 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 appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required b 38 U.S.C.7402(d) and 7407(d). 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 [NA] (Entry Level) Experience [and] Education [ ]. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 [NA] 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: 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 resident's 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. GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level) 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 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 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. References: VA regulations, specifically VA Handbook March 12, 2015, 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications 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 - GS-05.

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 Columbia VA Health Care System 6439 Garners Ferry Road Columbia, SC 29209 US
• Name: Tanisha Cage
• Phone: 305-399-7141
• Email: [email protected]