The Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is hiring for one Nursing Assistant.
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. 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. Experience or Education or Training. (1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 Grade Determinations: Nursing Assistant, GS-3 Experience and Education . None beyond the basic requirements. Nursing Assistant, 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. Nursing Assistant, 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 KS As 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 KSA's. 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: https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially extended periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. 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, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. 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.
The Nurse Aide Provides direct care for complex, acute, primary care and long-term patients/residents per established Oklahoma City Veterans' Health Care System (OKC VAHCS) policies. The Nurse Aide will attend to needed and vital requirements of the patient/resident and ensure all regulatory and hospital guidelines and practices are followed, providing for a positive care experience within the OKC VAHCS. It is expected that the Nursing Assistant will know their personal, legal, and ethical responsibilities and will work within the limits of their training/competency and functional statement. Other duties may include, but are not limited to: Safely and accurately perform personal care skills, including measuring and recording vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and measuring of height and weight. Measures and records intake and outpatient, feeding techniques, non-sterile specimen collection, transfer, positioning, and turning techniques. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Change Nurse to report patient-related information. Maintain appropriate communication with patients, families, and other health care workers, use medical asepsis and universal precautions, and documents care given is inherent to the role. Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices. Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self, or others. Functions as a therapeutic attendant for Veterans who require close observation or 1:1 observation. The attendant provider cares (including bathing, personal hygiene, feeding, elimination, and intake and output, etc.) for Veteran and prevents Veteran from hurting him/herself or interfering with the treatment by pulling out lines/IVs. Maintains direct supervision of the veteran. Performs duties per policy to ensure documentation and safety are attained. Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers. Practice good personal and professional integrity in the workplace. Uses the proper chain of command for communication. Offers supportive nursing care to critically or terminally ill patients/residents. Provides emotional support to patient/resident and/or family and significant other. Initiates basic life support and promptly recognizes/responds to emergent situations. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 730am-8:00pm with alternating weekend and holiday coverage. Compressed/Flexible: This will be a compressed schedule. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Functional Statement #: 55018-A, 55019-A, 55020-A