Job opening: Nursing Assistant - Safety Observation Technician
Salary: $42 483 - 69 357 per year
Published at: Jun 28 2024
Employment Type: Full-time
The Safety Observation Tech (SOT) will be responsible for providing remote observation of the assigned veteran (s) using the Care View Patient Safety System Tele-Sitter monitor from a remote monitoring station. The Care View Patient Safety System is designed to provide heightened security for patients at high risk for injury or elopement with early notification at the first sign of a patient's intent to exit the bed or chair utilizing an infrared camera.
Duties
The incumbent will observe the patient for safety needs, areas of comfort, and requests of the patient. Duties include but are not limited to:
A. Identifies normal and abnormal behavior based on report and hand off with nurse.
B. Follows CDC/Hospital and Nursing Infection control standards in cleaning equipment.
C. Documents according to instructions to capture all vital incidents.
D. Documents the patient activity every shift and give reports to relief SOT.
E. Identifies equipment and supplies need to efficiently monitor patient.
F. Communicates effectively and respectfully with all members of the medical team.
G. Prepares, organizes, and maintains setups for tele-view monitors.
H. Serves as primary point of contact during tour of duty for Care View concerns.
I. Immediately notifies Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and supervisor of needed equipment, work orders or requests for equipment repair or
maintenance.
J. Does not leave monitoring room unless relieved by another staff member.
K. Constantly screens patient environment to eliminate/reduce risk of self- harm. Alerts primary nurse of identified risks or concerns immediately.
L. Activates STAT Safety Alert Alarm immediately for nursing intervention if patient is at risk for injury.
M. Maintains daily activity logs of departmental activity.
N. Completes daily activity reports.
O. Communicates with NOD to keep them informed of daily activities and to facilitate any safety concerns observed within organization.
P. Informs NOD of all interventions and patient falls or injuries using ISBARQ communication tool and documents appropriately.
Q. Troubleshoot monitoring equipment per manufactures guidelines and places work orders for repairing equipment, notifies the COR if unable to correct.
R. Adequate interpersonal skills to effectively communicate an interact with patients, families, visitors, team members physicians and other hospital
personnel with who daily interactions must take place.
S. Demonstrates traits of initiative and dependability required.
T. Ability to perform efficiently and effectively under stress.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf
Work Schedule: Various
Compressed/Flexible:Not available.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not require
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.
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.
[Experience or] Education or Training:
1. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an NA; OR,
2. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; OR,
3. 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-3 [NA] (Entry Level)
(a) Experience [and] Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
(b) Assignments: Individuals assigned as GS-3 [NAs] are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.
GS-4 [NA]
(a) 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,
(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, 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.
(d) 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.
GS-5 [NA] (Full Performance Level)
(a) Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to theGS-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,
(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 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.
(d) 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.
Preferred Experience:
2+ years experience with CPRA
Advanced computer skills
3 years Nursing Assistant experience in either Acute and/or Long Term Care
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to multi task
References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.
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: 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear 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 must 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 employment conditions. 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:
https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Contacts
- Address VA Maryland Health Care System
10 North Greene Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
US
- Name: Che Smith
- Phone: 410-508-5027
- Email: [email protected]
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