Nursing Assistant - Iowa City, United States - Department Of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

Since 1952, the Iowa City VA HCS has been improving the health of the men and women who have so proudly served our nation. Our system serves more than 50,000 Veterans residing in 53 counties throughout Eastern Iowa, Western Illinois, and Northern Missouri.

Duties

The Nursing Assistant (NA) will work in Inpatient Mental Health under carefully planned and controlled conditions in the clinical area. The NA should be able to recognize emergent situations and take necessary action. The NA performs the following relatively simple and repetitive task which require basic knowledge of patient or nursing care procedures. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Gives and assists with all types of cleansing baths, shampoos, skin care to prevent complications and promote healing, assists with oral care and hygiene, including denture care.
• Meets the need for safe therapeutic environment by employing principals of medical asepsis, maintaining ward cleanliness by daily cleaning of patient unit and areas. Properly handles soiled and clean linen according to policy. Applies all types of physical restraints and protective devices as ordered. Employs techniques of emergency evacuation in the case of fire and/or disaster. Knows the purpose of all ward equipment and seeks assistance as needed.
• Demonstrates recognition of cognitive, physical, emotional, and chronological maturation of adult and geriatric patient's needs and possesses an understanding of how to compensate for these changes.
• Performs basic patient care activities and duties as assigned, such as taking vitals and recording measurements. Adheres to principles of patient safety, fall safety, infection control, and universal precautions at all times.
• Takes and records temperatures, blood pressure, pulse, 02 saturation, pain, height, and weight. May also obtain and record vitals on patients requiring more than routine vital signs of the patient in alcohol withdrawal or other medically compromised patients.
• Collects, labels, and delivers any urine, stool, sputum, nasal swabs, nasal washing, and rectal swabs in presence of the patient using two (2) identifiers, as per policy, and delivers to the lab.
• Ensures all pertinent patient information is provided to the RN for inclusion in the nursing care plan.
• Must possess communication skills to work effectively and diplomatically with Health Care System employees, patients, and visitors.
• Assists with the use of bedpans and urinals. Applies external catheters and maintains patency or drainage.
• Assists ward staff with direct patient care activities as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, rotating 12 and 8 hour shifts, rotating weekends and holidays, tour of duty may include, , , , , or Nights preferred.

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Physical Requirements: Lifting/moving/carrying/pushing/pulling moderately heavy objects/equipment; climbing, bending, reaching, squatting/kneeling, twisting, standing, walking; Assisting in lifting, positioning, ambulating, and transporting patients; Visual acuity required (glasses or contacts permitted) for monitoring equipment, reading medical data, preparing medications, etc. Must be able to distinguish basic colors. Fine motor skills required for grasping and controlling medical equipment and performing precise procedures.