Nursing Assistant - Seattle, WA, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

The NA is a member of the Float Team, providing assistance to the providers, nursing leadership team, registered nurses, and other team members.

The NA demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide care to Veteran patients within the Acute Care Service Line.

This service line cares for patients admitted to an inpatient medical-surgical inpatient hospital unit at VA Puget Sound, Patient Care Service Line.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

01/29/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$41,013 - $66,957 per year

GS-3 ($41,013-$53,314) GS-4 ($46,038-$59,884) GS-5($51,508-$66,597)

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

4 vacancies in the following location:

• Seattle, WA
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

6

• 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

CBSV MQ

• Control number

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This job is open to

• Federal employees - Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent VA Puget Sound HCS employees. 2) Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees. 3) Current permanent employees of other Federal agencies.

In accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages dated 9/27/2023, Veteran's Preference will not be applied to this occupation.

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• The public

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• The public

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Duties


RELOCATION INCENTIVE

FUNCTIONS OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a member of the Float Team, providing assistance to the providers, nursing leadership team, registered nurses, and other team members.

The Resource/Float Pool is designed to cover staffing shortages that occur on a day-to-day basis.

The Resource/Float Pool NA is assigned to a nursing unit by the Nurse of the Day (NOD) based on staffing needs in the organizationfor that shiftand the individual's competency level.

• Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention; that includes learning to implement the organization's prevention guidelines on falls and pressure sores, and the veteran's specific plan of care.
• Ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet.
• Employee adheres to responsibility of timely maintenance of all education required, including: TMS, BLS, HIPAA and Privacy training.
• Supervises patients and can mentor other NA's in personal hygiene, rest and eating. Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance. Helps patients in and out of bed, and with mobile devices. Instructs and assists patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living.
• Contributes to a safe, clean, clutter-free, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Follows Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions. Maintains privacy of patient and staff.
• Performs and can mentor other NA's in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs, EKGs, weight, height, intake and output, post-mortem care, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, changes clean or sterile dressings, applies external catheters, and gives catheter care.
• Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks. Performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises.
• Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures.
• Prepares patients for tests, examinations, treatments and for surgery. Collect's specimens such as urine, sputum and stool. Labels specimens for laboratory examinations. Performs blood glucose tests as appropriate. Cleans and maintains equipment with appropriate RME disinfectant.
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster. Demonstrates safe body mechanics.
• Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status, reporting unusual changes to the RN. Report's information obtained from patients and or family and participates in developing a plan of care. Assists with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients.
• Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training.
• Knowledge of safe handling practices (i.e., precautions and measures for handling of hazardous waste) working with patients who receive Hazardous Medications and the disposal of bodily fluids contaminated with Hazardous Medications including knowledge of unit radiation safety precautions.
• Knowledge and skill of medical terminology and observational skills sufficient to report the patient's physical and emotional reactions to care. Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff.
• Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients.
• Knowledge of skills sufficient to assist in the teaching of patients in activities of daily living.
• Knowledge of basic human body structure, function, diseases, and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to his/her level.
• Knowledge of developmental needs (cognitive, emotional, physical, age related) of the young adult to the geriatric age category.
• Knowledge of aseptic techniques and skill in performing procedures requiring same.
• Demonstrates knowledge of proper body mechanics and skill in patient transfer procedures and other items requiring resident transfer or movement.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs, (i.e., patient unable to chew food for lack of teeth or a patient who is unable to feed self).

Work Schedule:
Night shift or with every other weekend


Telework:
Not Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.


Functional Statement #:

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Authorized


EDRP Authorized:
Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator @

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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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.
• 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 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:
GS-3: 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
In addition to the above experience/education, 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:

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
In addition to the above experience/education, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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.

References:
VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, March 12, 2015.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.

Physical Requirements:
Heavy lifting; straight pulling; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; repeated bending; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); Visual acuity 20/30 corrected; mental and emotional stability

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


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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.

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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.

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.