This is a Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) that will be used to fill full-time vacant Nursing Assistant positions within the inpatient surgery acute care 2F unit in the Perioperative Department. Resumes will be referred to the hiring manager once the vacancy closes on Friday, August 15th. You will receive an email notification when your resume has been referred to the hiring manager, if applicable.
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-3 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience as an Nursing Assistant 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 two (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: 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 (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. 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. 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 in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially prolonged periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients/residents and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients/residents and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent maybe exposed to patients/residents who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patients/resident's needs. The incumbent must complete annual employee health requirements as applicable, such as annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment. The physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.
Inpatient Surgery Acute Care Unit (2F) nursing assistant (NA) reports to the unit nurse manager. 2F provides comprehensive, coordinated, patient centered care to the perioperative patient 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The Nursing Assistant observes, reports, and documents changes in patient's conditions. In addition, charting on each patient's medical record is done regularly according to set nursing standards and unit policies. The NA assists with Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the delivery of specialized nursing care and emergency care of patients as needed. He/she uses therapeutic communication to intervene with psychiatric, geriatric, and/or medical patients. The NA shows concern for the safety, whereabouts, and welfare of all patients on the assigned unit. Follow-through by the NA on the assigned patients' treatment plans is necessary for continuity of care. Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Applies increased knowledge and skills in identifying and meeting the bio-psychosocial needs of patients with health problems. He/she documents patient's behavior and progress towards desired outcomes based on the patient's Plan of Care in the progress notes on a weekly basis. His/her written and verbal communication is informative and concise and will assist other treatment team members and disciplines in evaluating and/or modifying the therapeutic program. Recognize and report significant patient care information to appropriate personnel and document findings and interventions. Applies appropriate nursing measures to decrease agitation and confusion. He/she recognizes normal and abnormal neurological symptoms and reports significant findings to the RN for follow-up according to unit guidelines. Acts as a patient advocate in ensuring patients receive all necessary care in an efficient manner. Attends patient care conferences and interdisciplinary treatment team meetings for patient evaluation purposes and follow-up conducted by the professional staff. Reports significant observations to the professional staff and documents accordingly in the progress notes and the 24-hour report as appropriate. Evaluates the patient environment to ensure it is safe, clean and comfortable at all times. Identifies patients with difficulty in performing ADL and plans individualized programs in cooperation with the Registered Nurse (RN) to aid in maximizing independence. Follows universal precautions as appropriate, demonstrates competence according to isolation, infection control, and Tuberculosis (TB) policy/procedure. Provides nursing care, which is based on accepted principles of nursing and reflects empathetic understanding of the patient. Work Schedule: Day/ Evening Rotation every other weekend and every other holiday required ( compressed tours available) 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