This Nursing Assistant position is organizationally aligned under Surgical Services/Patient Care Services. S/he works at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky (UK) Medical Center at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Lexington, Ky. Incumbent will normally work at one of the locations for the two divisions (Sousley Campus or Bowling Campus) but is required to work at the other location as necessary.

Duties

Nursing Assistants (NAs) 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. Duties include but not limited to: Bathes, shaves, provides oral hygiene, shampoos hair, provides nail care, and active range of motion activity. Provides other personal needs, such as properly disposing of body waste. Prepares patients for meals. Feeds selected patients and/or assists other patients as necessary. Administers tube feedings including gastrostomy, nasogastric, and jejunostomy as designated by the Registered Nurse (RN). Notes changes in patients' nutritional needs and reports to an RN. Changes bed linens as needed. Positions, holds, turns, ambulates, and transfers patients as indicated. Identifies the need for and appropriately applies supportive and protective devices for the protection of the patient and personnel. Utilizes lift aids with appropriate body mechanics. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by maintaining assigned area in an orderly and sanitary condition. Maintains the cleanliness of all items in the patient area. Utilizes correct Standard Precautions for all contact with the Veteran and bodily substances. Bodily substances include urine, blood, saliva, feces, vomitus, would drainage or any other bodily fluid excreted by the Veteran. Instructs patients and visitors about the use of protective procedures if indicated. Sets up patient rooms for other isolation/transmission precautions as indicated. Transports patients who may require close observation and support. Accompanies selected patients when necessary. Assures safety during transportation process; assures proper hand-off and accountability for return of patients. Collects and labels specimens of sputum, urine (routine and sterile), feces, and assists with the collection of other sterile specimens, as directed by the team leader for storage and/or delivery to the laboratory. Measures and records vital signs, height and weight, intake and output. Reports changes in the patient's condition to the RN. Documents patient care provided and patient response to treatment. Assists in post-mortem care, and helps support family members as needed. Assists members of health care team by obtaining necessary supplies and equipment. Exercises sound judgment in utilization and conservation of all supplies used in patient area. Assembles equipment and effectively prepares patient for tests and treatments. Performs colostomy/urostomy care after individual instruction. Applies external urinary devices. Instructs patients on oxygen safety. Turns patient and assists in deep breathing and coughing exercises as assigned. Assists during emergency situations, including initiating and/or assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies and performs errands for patients care needs as requested. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients. Observes, reports, and records changes in patients' physical or emotional status, i.e., signs and symptoms that may require interventions or treatment, e.g., respiratory distress, cyanosis, aspiration, infiltration of IV fluids, blood transfusion relation, unusual behavior, non-verbal signs of pains, stress, or withdrawal. Employs therapeutic and effective communicative skills relating to patients, staff and visitors. Helps instructor interpret instructions to patients or family to obtain cooperation in treatments. Provides emotional support for the critically ill or dying patients or family to obtain cooperation in treatments,. Provides emotional support for the critically ill or dying patients. Effectively utilizes disturbed/disruptive behavior management techniques. Guides, encourages, and provides basic instructions to patients in achieving maximum motivation, independence, and re-socialization and rehabilitation. Actively participates in patient/team conferences. Contributes information to the patient care plan, Conducts small discussion and therapeutic patient groups under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Work Schedule: Days/Nights 12 hours with rotation to other shifts as needed to include weekends and holidays. Shift determined at time of hire. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Pay Scale: V0F3

Requirements

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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 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. Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted). English Language Proficiency: must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents. 2 Ability to observe patients/residents 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 patient / residents, their families and other health professionals. GS- 5 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 assignments -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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 nursing assistants 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 Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G46 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: Rita Tolen
• Phone: 423-979-3565
• Email: [email protected]