Nursing Assistant - Madison, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary


OUR MISSION:

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise to care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors- by serving and honoring America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Learn more about this agency

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

10/27/2023 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$33,952 - $54,015 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS - 5

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Location

FEW vacancies in the following location:

• Madison, WI
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Multiple Schedules -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

5

• Job family (Series)

0621 Nursing Assistant

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

OCA-IN-NA-Careview-24-EC

• Control number

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

1) Open to current, permanent employees of the Madison VA Medical Center and its outreach facilities, including CBOCs and VCS employees. 2) All other current, permanent VHA employees.

Videos

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Duties

Major Nursing Assistant duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assists or provides patients with personal hygiene, i.e., bathing, shaving, teeth brushing, nail care, hair combing, etc.
• Provides patients with the appropriate level of assistance with activities of daily living, bathing, dressing, transferring, ambulating, feeding, and toileting.
• Obtains blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and blood glucose (finger stick) and records them appropriately in the medical record.
• Weighs patients and records them appropriately in the medical record.
• Assists during emergency treatment situations obtaining equipment as necessary and running errands as needed.
• Maintains positive and constructive professional working relationship with patients, families, medical staff, volunteers, and co-workers.
• Transports patients as assigned off the unit for various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.
• Assists the team in reinforcing educational needs with patients.
• Performs other duties as assigned, such as phlebotomy and 12-Lead EKGs.
• Understands and demonstrates behavior that reflects that each patient is an individual with needs that vary, particularly according to his/her age.
• Understands the appropriate body mechanics to safely move patients using a variety of lifts/transfer devices.
• Applies and operates specialized equipment for residents (patients), e.g., prosthetic appliances, patient mobility devices, etc.
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards.
• Initiates emergency measures to protect patients.
• Maintains patient rooms and unit areas in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Participates in problem-solving activities to maintain a safe environment
• Assists in provision of a safe environment for patients with memory deficits, orientation problems and acting-out behavior.
• Cleans various pieces of patient equipment as needed and directed by responsible nurse.
• Select Nursing Assistants will be trained to perform Health Unit Coordinator tasks and will manage patient admissions, discharges, post discharge appointments, and other clerical tasks.

Nursing Assistant / Video Monitor Safety Assistant is responsible for providing constant patient/resident observation and monitoring of assigned high risk patients to support safety and prevention of injury.

Observation includes more than one patient at a time at the monitoring station.

The Video Monitoring Safety Assistant must be able to clearly see all the patients for which the team member is responsible for at all times.

Major Video Monitoring Safety Assistant duties include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrates understanding and proficiency of electronic systems for role of Telecare Video monitoring.
• Takes direction from the Registered Nurse
• Troubleshoots monitoring difficulties with central stations, alert vendor/ Ol&T/BioMed of any software or hardware problems.
• Reports any physical or behavioral changes promptly to nursing staff responsible for the care of the patient/resident and ensures follow-up actions.
• Documents interventions and patient data
• Always maintains patient confidentiality
• Respects patient privacy needs
• Conducts self in a professional manner, using accountability in communication to resolve problems in an open, timely manner.
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.
• Understands and demonstrates behavior that reflects that each patient is an individual with needs that vary, particularly according to his/her age.
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards and/or issues.
• Initiates emergency measures to protect patients.
• Participates in problem-solving activities to maintain a safe environment
• Assists in provision of a safe environment for patients with memory deficits, orientation problems and acting-out behavior.
• Seeks assistance with removal of any potential safety hazard from room and reports findings to appropriate staff member
• Consistently reports to the team leader/licensed staff observations of the patient's physical condition and behavior.
• Participates with the nursing team to provide input in the formulation and implementation of the care plan.
• Records appropriately in the medical record.
• Consistently addresses the patient, family, and staff with respect and dignity.
• Will report any suspected abuse to the appropriate licensed nurse (charge nurse, supervisor, manager).

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Work Schedule:
Full-Time or Part-Time Days/PMs/Nights, Rotating Weekends & Holidays - Day: 7:00am-3:30pm; PM: 3:00pm-11:30pm;


NOC:
11:00pm-7:30am


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, VA applicants must meet all requirements within 15 days of the closing date of this announcement,

09/30/2024


Basic Requirements:
US Citizenship is required.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3.g.).

ENGLISH:
Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.

Education or Training:
Must possess one year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation

OR

Must have completed an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than 1 year as a Nursing Assistant.

IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE, YOU MUST MEET THE GRADE REQUIREMENTS AT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING GRADE LEVELS TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

GS - 03: Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

Experience or Education:
None beyond the basic requirements.

GS - 04: Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised.

Experience:
One year of specialized experience as a 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

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:

• 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 residents' 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 - 05: This is the full performance level for NAs.

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.

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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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.

Education


IMPORTANT:

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:
Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR
AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Evidence of experience must be supported by detailed documentation of duties performed in positions held. Please provide such documentation on your application or resume.

Also, please provide work experience information such as hours per week and starting/ending dates of employment (month and year format) to establish one (1) full year of experience.

To be credible, experience must be documented in the application and verifiable through employment references and/or other means. Your resume must support your answers in the occupational questionnaire.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.