The Community Living Center nursing assistant provides direct care to Veterans with a variety of chronic medical conditions in a home-like environment. On this 60-bed unit, NAs care for Veterans with an array of conditions including short and long stay rehabilitation needs, SCI, dementia care and hospice. This position is located at the main Reno VA campus. This position is authorized for a Recruitment and Relocation Incentive. 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. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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. [NAs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Preferred Criteria: Completion of education or training as a nursing assistant. Basic Life Support (BLS) provider card issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN) Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. Grade Determinations: GS-3 Entry Level Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Experience: One year of specialized experience 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: 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 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46 Nurse Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621, dated March 12, 2015, http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5. ["Duties and Support Inpatient- Collecting Specimens: sputum, urine (routine & sterile), feces, and others as directed by team lead for storage and delivery to lab according to unit standard.- Notify nurse of change in patient's condition and/or hazardous environments; including VS, physical or behavioral S&S, psychosocial, supply and/or equipment issues.- Under the guidance of the nurse or provider, prepares and positions the patient and arranges and passes medical supplies and materials to the providers or nurses for a variety of diagnostic tests.- Activities of Daily Living: bathing, feeding, oral care, hair care and other personal hygiene duties and range of motion activities.- Applies ointments, creams, shampoos, solutions, etc. per facility policy.- Sets up meals, documents consumption, and reports changes in appetite. Able to count calories.- Assists with bladder and bowel care, documents output, and reinforces patient education.- Actively participate in pressure ulcer prevention per facility/unit protocol.- Actively participates in Fall preventions and safety per facility policy- Turning patients as ordered.- Transfers and Lifts: Mobility of patients safely. Use of lift/transfer equipment and good body mechanics per safe patient handling.- Applies and removes compression, antihemolytic stockings (TEDS), and sequential sleeves as directed by nurse.- Performs 1 to 1 observations as directed by the nurse or provider per facility policy.- Provides the change of shift report to the CNA/NA on the next shift.- Prepares patient for weekend leave (passes) and/or discharge per facility policy.- Stocks and Sets up room appropriately for patient care and procedures as per unit/procedure protocol. Duties and Support Outpatient- Supports hospital wide COVID efforts, to include door monitoring, working in multiple clinic locations, working in COVID tent, inpatient, outpatient and administrative areas- Collects health history, complete clinical reminders, informs RN and PCP of information as needed, works collaboratively and effectively within PC and PACT team-Supports and assists all Pact extenders to include but not limited to SW, Pharm, IBHC, Nutrition-Supports all aspects of primary care to include women's health and occupational health- Supports hospital wide influenza efforts, collects health screenings as needed, provides support to all aspects of outpatient needs both in and out of the hospital.- Collecting COVID/Influenza/Strep swabs per protocol, properly labeling/bagging specimens and delivering to lab- Notify nurse of change in patient's condition and/or hazardous environments; including VS, physical or behavioral S&S, psychosocial, supply and/or equipment issues.- Assists throughout hospital as needed for 1:1 observation- Applies simple non-sterile dressings and removes non-sterile dressings under the direction of the nurse or provider- Performs procedures within scope of practice, to include EKG's, ear lavages, simple dressing changes, catheter changes, etc. under the direction of a provider/nurse and records and reports results.- Administers vaccinations per protocol, within scope of practice under the direction and supervision of the Nurse Manager, RN or PCP- Administrative duties as needed to include scrubbing of schedules, documentation of influenza vaccines, etc. Work Schedule: Varied shifts between 5:45am - 9:30pm depending on Services' Needs to include holidays and weekends. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 41203A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized For Highly Qualified Candidates Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
