This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

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 Operates Equipment & Determines Technical Factors Determines technical factors, sets controls & operates equipment, instruments & monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen, CPAP etc. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, & call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff & puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities & brings them to the attention of the RN. Maintain administrative & clinical files. Orders & maintains supplies for the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed or patient is discharged. Maintains a Safe Environment/Receives/Directs Patients Maintains a therapeutic & safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting & eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds & patient safety checks. Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, & their belongings as indicated in facility SOP's, Memorandums, or Policies. Conducts monitoring of unit & patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations. Assists with Patient Care Activities Assists physicians & nurses in the care & treatment of clients receiving medical care. Observes, documents, & reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, physical complaints, appearance, vital signs and/or changes in the patients' condition that may be related to medications, sensory distortions or medical conditions. Reports reactions to/responses to treatment. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care. Delivers meals & /or snacks to patients & assists as needed. Encourages independence in patients by instructing, guiding & assisting patients. Accompanies/escorts patients on activities & to appointments, treatments etc. Performs Diagnostic Tests & Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording & reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms, collecting & labeling specimens for the laboratory. Makes gross visual observations & identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures. Assists patients with adjusting simple supportive equipment. Assists the professional nurse & medical staff with specialized procedures: biopsy, lumbar puncture, electroconvulsive therapy etc. Teaches Patients Proper Health Care Practices Demonstrates acceptable behavior as a role model for patient behavior. Encourages patient & family to actively participate in the individualized treatment plan. Encourages positive patient­ family relationships. Teaches patients & family members the necessity of continuing proper health care. Provides specific health information based on the patients' condition. Gives patient & family after-care instructions. Conducts patient meetings & groups. Utilizes a variety of treatment approaches to promote recovery on a one-to-one & group interaction level. Follows designated charting techniques to post patient charts that provide an outline or summary of patients' care. Documents pertinent information on patient status. Maintains patient & clinical records from admission to discharge. Provides personal patient care, & educating patients on pre-testing & post procedure activities. Documents patients' physical & emotional status & response to nursing interventions, using the problem oriented medical record format. Secures Patients' Confidence/Cooperation Secures patient confidence & cooperation during hospital stay, including explaining procedures & guidelines. Maintains therapeutic boundaries. Promotes a sense of ego integrity, self-worth & dignity by acknowledging patients' acceptable behavior & progress toward recovery. Clerical/Administrative Support Coordination Requirement Maintains patient records/charts. Updates unit forms and/or worksheets. Orders & maintains supplies for the unit. Assists in orienting personnel to the clinical area including proper clinical procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating Schedule. 12 hours shifts days, nights, weekends, & holidays Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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 a NA. OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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. OR, (4) Grandfathering Provisions. All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date (05/22/2024) of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. 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 Nursing Assistant Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience. One (1) 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 two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, healthcare 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: 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 Experience. One (1) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005, Staffing, Part II, Appendix G17. Transmittal Sheet 5/22/2024. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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 incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves considerable standing, walking, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and turning. It requires repositioning patients and assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/stretchers. Mechanical devices when available are required to be used for heavy or difficult to lift patients. The work may involve pushing or lifting weight in excess of 50 pounds and going up and down flights of stairs. The position requires visual and auditory acuity at a level to provide safe and effective nursing care. The positions require the nursing assistant to work for periods of time with arms above shoulder level or with the neck in a fully flexed or extended position and the ability to physically control or protect him/herself from physically abusive patients.

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 Salt Lake City Health Care System 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84148 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]