The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the Clinical Command Center Transport/Escort Team (CCC Transport/Escort Team) and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team throughout the health care facility with patient transport. The CCC Transport/Escort Team is responsible for transporting patients/residents receiving outpatient, home, CLC, acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness care safely and in a timely manner.
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: Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, one year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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: 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-5 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) 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. *Transcript Required* AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. Preferred Experience: Approximately 2-3 years of NA experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. Must be flexible, versatile, reliable, and a team player. Outstanding patient and customer service skills and bedside manner. Excellent communication skills. Practice safe lifting techniques, and assist patients in and out of beds, stretchers, and wheelchairs. Ability to work flexible tours to include weekends and holidays to accommodate patients/residents needs. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix, G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated 03/12/2015. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05.
Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: The incumbent must be able to perform with skill and effectiveness all duties associated with nursing assistant work under the supervision of the Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse. The NA Escort is responsible for transporting patients throughout the facility for scheduled appointments, admissions, discharges, and transfers. The NA Escort is responsible for transporting of beds/mattresses/pumps to and from units to assist with care coordination throughout the facility. The NA Escort is responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, residents, equipment, and supplies such as wheelchairs, stretchers, beds, and oxygen tanks, etc. in the outpatient and inpatient care units. The NA Escort transports patients who do not require a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to transport because of their acuity category. The NA Escort will assist the RN, physician, or other qualified medical personnel in the transport of acute patients. Escort NAs may assist Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing/medical staff with patient transport but will not transport this category of patient without the above staff. Escort NAs may provide assistance to psychiatric nursing or medical staff with patient transport. With specialized training, escort NAs may transport low acuity psychiatric patients without assistance, always remaining 1:1 with patient at all times. The NA Escort provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs. The NA Escort maintains patient/resident safety standards, assuring patient/resident privacy, patient/resident physical safety, and patient/resident psychological safety. The Escort NA establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level members of the work team promoting the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members. The Escort NA demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients, residents, visitors, and employees identified by regulating agencies, the RICVAMC, VISN and National Agencies. The NA Escort recognizes, responds, and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and respiratory failure. The NA Escort has the 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. NA Escort may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, or community living care, acute, subacute areas. The NA Escort maintains the bed stacker, bed stacker report, and assists with fax streem, etc. Measuring vital signs (to include temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, wound care, transfers, weights, and pain measurement). Proficient with chart documentation, direct patient care duties, patient and family teaching, and patient safety duties. Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort, spirit, and recovery of the patient. Records treatments and observations in the electronic patient record. Recognizes and reports to the RN or provider any significant physical, emotional, or behavioral changes in the patient. Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy, handling, and delivery to the laboratory. Transports patients and specimens to required destinations and prepares for and assists with examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies. Assists with therapeutic treatment techniques to include conducting groups, 1:1 observation, the proper use of restraints, aseptic and deescalating techniques. Enter information into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Documents vital signs, treatments, procedures, and cardiac rhythm interpretations performed in CPRS. Practices excellent customer service in all work activities; poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with the health care team, patients, families and or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Work Schedule: Mon to Fri, 7:30am to 4pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required