The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System located in Muskogee, Oklahoma is currently recruiting for a Nursing Assistant to work in Acute Care. This position is for intermittent pool nursing assistant.
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: 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable or working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering Provisions: All NA's employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. If an employee who has retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effort at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 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, 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 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 (Full Performance Level) 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 KSAs listed below; OR, 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 Demonstrated 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. 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.
Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Other duties may include, but are not limited to: All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task. Utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran Maintains a positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.: Engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team. Set up patient care related equipment Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguard the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Use proper safety practices. Utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment. Proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills. Participate in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contribute information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment. Competent with performing aspects of nursing care to meet patients/resident needs for: Perform and document prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, and simple dressing changes. Proficient with utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training. Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, 15 minute checks, and hourly rounding. Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Begin to orient lower-level nursing assistance Utilizes glucose monitoring machine, refers deviation to appropriate health care staff Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan. Utilizes equipment to promote the Veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Work Schedule: Multiple Tours of Duty available, 12-hour shifts to include days, evenings and weekends, intermittent position. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Telework: Not Available. Functional Statement #: 51133-A; 51134-A; 51135-A