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

Description

Summary

This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services, Inpatient Nursing, Acute Care.

The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team.

The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN).

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

12/13/2023 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$35,052 - $57,234 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 00

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Aurora, CO 1 vacancy
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Part-time - 20 Hours

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

5

• Job family (Series)

0621 Nursing Assistant

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSU KC

• 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

This is an open continuous announcement.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered at regular intervals as additional vacancies occur or on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Applications will remain on file until Sep 30, 2024 This is an internal job announcement open to current Federal employees If you are not a Current federal employee please apply to the EXTERNAL job announcement number for this position
CBSU KC
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Duties

Nursing Assistant duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs & fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe & effective patient care w/ appropriate training levels
• All tasks, assignments & activities is under a RN's direction, guidance & supervision
• Adheres to VA and Nursing policies, procedures, & standards
• Contributes to safe, clean & therapeutic environment for patients/staff by maintaining clean equipment, patient's rooms & ward areas
• Cares for patients w/ communicable diseases that may require various isolation precautions
• Must don appropriate PPE based on type of isolation precaution
• Follows infection control/hand washing policies
• Complies w/ safety/fire policies/rules/practices
• Reports all accidents/unsafe/unhealthy environmental situations/conditions
• Corrects/reports/removes broken equipment out of service immediately/tags it/submits repair ticket through Maximo
• Uses sterile techniques w/ techniques w/ treatments & simple dressings that don't require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates, & stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances & performs bowel/bladder trainings per treatment plan
• Observes PIV/CVC for redness, swelling, or pain & reports finding to RN
• Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene & applying external catheters
• Assists w/ patient rehabilitation & preventing deformities by correcting position & assisting w/ Activities of Daily Living, ADLs, including ambulation
• Performs ambulation & range of motion activities
• Measures & records vital signs including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure & measuring height & weight, monitors patient's O2 use/compliance
• Measures & records intake & output, (performs bladder scans, EKGs, collects urine, sputum, MRSA or stool specimens, oral suctioning per RN)
• Recognizes overt abnormal signs & symptoms &/or changes in patients' condition & responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information
• Observes/reports patient complaints, results of treatment performed, change in patient's condition, behavior &/or attitude
• Observes/reports patient complaints, all changes in patient's physical condition &/or emotional status, e.g. post-operative shock signs, hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory, distress, mucous aspiration, IV infiltration, acute behavior changes or unusual behavior
• Utilizes Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Clinicomp/Essentris per policy
• Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise & timely
• Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle & wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints & padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive threatening behaviors & documents actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS)
• Initiates Code Yellow at RN's direction, initiates CPR or activates Code Blue according to medical center policy for patients found unresponsive &/or not breathing
• Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics/use of mechanical devices
• Requests assistance from other staff when moving/lifting/turning as needed patients to prevent injury to patient/self/others
• Assists w/ patients' admissions/discharges/transfers
• Accurately documents/secures personal belongings, e.g. valuables, dentures, hearing aids, eyes & limbs
• Participates in patient care conferences/helps create nursing care plans,
• Participates educational activities, completes unit based in-services, & mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by deadlines
• Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills & professional behavior that promote cooperation & teamwork
• Practices good customer customer service and demonstrates VA I-CARE values
• Participates in unit-based quality of care performance improvement activities, unit based performance improvement measures & results
• Identifies problem areas by practicing evidence-based practices on unit
• Perform other duties as assigned

Work Schedule:
Varies, Sun-Sat, or


Telework:
Not Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:
A, A, A


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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

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:

• U

S Citizenship:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant, (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.

Grade Determination:
GS-3 (Entry Level)

Experiences and

Education:
None beyond the basic requirements.

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

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

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.

Assignment:

• Individuals assigned as GS-4 [NAs] are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded [NAs], licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded [NAs] or other healthcare professionals.
• In this role, the Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded [NAs], licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care, or other patients who are in acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness. The Nursing Assistant in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded [NAs], or other healthcare 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,

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
In addition, 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.

The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-3 to GS-5.


Physical Requirements:
This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments. In addition to the aforementioned duties, it may involve moving equipment/objects in excess of 40lbs.

The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes.

Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.

The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations.

The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.

The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Must complete annual Employee Health requirements as a condition of employment.

Education


IMPORTANT:

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

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

Transcripts must include your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, (if applicable), (name of degree received, (if applicable).

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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation)

Leave:

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.