Summary

This Nursing Assistant position within Medical Surgical Telemetry Unit is located at the Lebanon - PA VAMC facility.

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
• 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 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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 Nursing Assistant (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 in subparagraph (c) 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
• Preferred Experience: Inpatient Nursing Assistant experience 1-2 years Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5.

Duties

• Assists the RN and other members of the interdisciplinary team (IDT) with providing input in the development of care plan based on the Veterans care needs
• Under the direction of the RN - provides health care services to the Veteran to include - but not limited to: Foley Catheter care
• obtaining the Veterans vital signs - blood glucose - or electrocardiogram (EKG)
• activities of daily living
• and post-mortem care
• The NA is responsible to report any abnormalities to the RN
• Takes appropriate action - when indicated - regarding equipment safety (Wanderguard unit - crash cart - refrigerators - etc.)
• Communicates to appropriate staff when immediate intervention is needed for safe care
• Initiates and maintains standards of cleanliness and safety in Veteran environment and exercises proper use and maintenance of equipment
• Monitors Veterans risk for behaviors including - but not limited to: Elopement - wandering - suicide - fall - behavior - and pressure ulcer and taking action - when indicated - to include communicating to appropriate personnel when further intervention is needed and completing necessary documentation
• Sits with patient on one-on-one (1:1) for safety as needed
• Under the direction of the RN - monitor bladder and bowel functioning - tracking and reporting of I&O - and hydration
• Promotes the value of Veteran-centered care to nursing staff on the Med/Surg/Tele floor
• Actively seeks Veteran choice in care plan participation and goal development
• Performs nursing care - as applicable to the Veteran - including all aspects of personal care and grooming
• Consistently follows policies - standard operating procedures (SOPs) - and procedures as applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control
• Observes Veterans and reports changes in Veteran behavior and condition to the unit charge nurse
• Reports required information for hand-off communication to charge nurse and co-workers including to other members of the IDT and other applicable staff and departments
• Completes the necessary documentation for these duties
• Under the direction of the RN - educates the Veterans on their care needs as appropriate to NA skill level
• Communicates with families and significant others as appropriate
• Promptly reports any deviations from normal practice patterns to the charge nurse - assistant nurse manager (ANM) - nurse manager (NM) - or nursing supervisor
• Completes all assigned routine documentation
• Responds during emergencies - assisting during fire drills - and responding to any safety issues as they arise
• Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire - safety and disaster regulations - practices - and procedures and communicates expectations to staff
• Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promote a safe workplace
• Encourages other staff compliance with safety policies
• Participates on committees or other workgroups as requested
• Participates in quality improvement activities
• Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• Completes mandatory education requirements Ensuring the cleanliness of rooms by emptying trash - cleaning bedside tables - and ensuring that belongings are stored appropriately
• Additional duties as assigned
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Six 12-hour shifts of 7pm-7am - plus one additional 8-hour shift of 11pm-7am - with weekend and holiday rotation Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 595-03604-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized