VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Duties

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Providing direct patient care as assigned within OCD to include but not limited to: patient check in, vital sign measurement, assisting with ADLs including personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, safety, positioning for procedures/surgery, transport, and post recovery care. Communicating with patients and families, identifying and responding appropriately to patient needs, addressing educational needs, increased anxiety, procedural knowledge deficits, and personal and privacy needs. Performing standardized treatment procedures as directed by medical staff including: clipping, ECG monitoring, bladder scanning, and Accuchecks. Obtaining, labeling, and transporting time-sensitive specimens to the lab. Assisting surgical staff with the operation of equipment, to include locating equipment, setting up equipment, and reporting malfunctioning equipment to ensure safety for patients and staff. Collaborating with the OCD and interdisciplinary teams. Communicating abnormalities, or observed variances in hemodynamic or neurological status in order to improve patient care outcomes. VA Portland Health Care System employs patient-centered care principles, with the care of the Veteran as the priority. The incumbent practices good customer service in all work activities, treating Veterans, their families/representatives, visitors, and other employees in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments. Follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents, and injuries. Familiar with hazardous materials, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and waste management procedures. Follows Emergency Preparedness plan. Follows building security policies/procedures. Complies with federal, state and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources. Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention, i.e., hand washing, standard precautions, and isolation procedures, including TB requirement/precautions. No eating or drinking or the storage of such containers, applying cosmetics, or inserting contact lenses in patient care areas, including nurses' stations. Fosters a high profile of the VA Occupational Safety and Health Program by assuring employee awareness of potential safety hazards, promptly reporting all injuries, and ensuring supervisors are effective in corrective actions necessary to eliminate safety and health hazards in the work area. Basic Life Support (BLS) is required for all NAs per VHA Directive 1177. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is required in specific specialty areas and assignments per policy. The incumbent will be self-directed in completing orientation and ongoing mandatory education. Will actively participate in competency assessment and validation. Specialty assignments may require a scope of practice for procedures beyond basic education. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 06:00am-06:00pm tours vary as required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency- Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant: Experience and Education- None beyond basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant: One year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field; OR Education- 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 Nursing Assistant: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level; OR, Education- 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.

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 Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Scott Newburn
• Phone: 208-422-1000 X7576
• Email: [email protected]