Incumbent provides technical nursing care to adult and geriatric residents according to a plan of care established by a Registered Nurse (RN) who is responsible for the assigned resident's care. The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs basic nursing care according to standards of care, policies and procedures and assists providers and nurses in the performance of diagnostic examinations.

Duties

Work Schedule: days/evenings; evenings/nights; rotating weekends and holidays Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf MAJOR DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES: Explains procedures to residents, using language which they understand and displaying consideration of individual resident needs. Ensures that the physical and emotional environment is consistent with safe resident centered care. Maintains self-control and responds consistently to the requirements of the work situation, shows flexibility. Acts as a role model to peers. Responds to residents calls for assistance promptly and interacts with the resident in a tactful, courteous manner, making customer service the focus of all interactions. Under the direction of the charge nurse or RN, administers complete personal care to stable Veterans 18 years through the geriatric years. These Veterans have unique age related and gender specific structural and functional changes that effect their response to assistance and care. This care may include, but is not limited to, restorative care, hygiene, assistance with ADL's, elimination and nutrition. Provides selected resident treatment according to policy, i.e. warm and cold applications, glucometer testing, and skin agents. Collects routine specimens of sputum, feces, urine, wound drainage and gastric contents for evaluation in the clinical laboratory using blood and body fluid precautions. Provides charge nurse or RN with pertinent data related to care provided, changes in condition and interventions initiated. Documents care provided, therapeutic measures administered and the patient's/resident's response through subjective and objective observations. Responds appropriately to emergency situations including cardiopulmonary arrest, choking, and disaster or fire drills. Appropriately initiates emergency response teams: Rapid Response Team (RRT), Code Blue, Stroke-Cardiac alerts. Attends/escorts residents to various appointments on station. Orients residents to the unit/neighborhood. Sets up for and performs treatments that requires auxiliary equipment, for example: oxygen and spirometry. Provides range of motion exercises for dependent patients/residents at least once per shift. Adheres to and appropriately utilizes the Safe Patient Handling Program standards, practices, and recommendations. Lifts, transfers, and repositions residents safely, according to policy and procedure, seeking assistance when appropriate, to prevent injury to the resident and self. Supports the Environment of Care Management Program by completing scheduled training on safety, health, environmental and fire protection requirements related to their assigned tasks; following safe work practices and procedures, including the use of appropriate equipment, and any required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) item; recognizing and reporting unsafe and unhealthful conditions, initiating prompt corrective action within their authority, and promptly reporting work-related injuries or illnesses to supervisory personnel. Supports and actively participates in CLC/Long Term Care initiatives such as Cultural Transformation, High Reliability Organization (HRO), Patient Centered Care, Just Culture, and I CARE. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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

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: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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 Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant (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. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) (a) 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 KS As 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. Preferred Experience: Long Term Care References: VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Margie Brooks
• Phone: (412) 822-1090
• Email: [email protected]