The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Nursing Assistant. The Nursing Assistant will function on Cares Tower 6 in the Psychiatry Nursing section of the Medical Center.
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. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-3 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. NAs at this grade are considered entry-level and are closely supervised. GS-4 To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: 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 to the experience above, 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 To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: 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 KSAs 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, 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. Preferred Experience: STNA Two years long term care experience Two years acute care experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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: 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. 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.
Duties of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to: Provides patients' personal hygiene by assisting with bathing/showering, shampooing, shaving, dressing and toileting. Toileting includes the use of bedpans, urinals, bowel care for SCI/D or emptying ostomies and Foley catheters. Documenting intake and/or output when required.- Assists with glasses, hearing aids, oral care, nail trimming, unless otherwise medically contraindicated, and other personal grooming as needed. Provides whole health modalities as appropriate. Provides ADLs by assisting with serving meals and/or feeding patients diets as ordered. Provides fresh water/drinks and nourishment when appropriate. Ambulates and transfers patients including the use of assistive devices; turning and positioning patients that are in the bed or chair to help prevent skin breakdown; skin inspections of all areas prone to skin breakdown. Uses fall prevention techniques including bed/chair alarms where permitted, low beds, floor mats, and other fall prevention technique as outlined by the RN, LPN, or provider. Answers patient call lights and requests; completes routine rounds on patients to assist with needs such as comfort, reporting pain to the RN, LPN, or provider, toileting, and assisting with getting out of bed, or turning/positioning, and preventing falls. Safely transports patients in gurneys, wheelchairs or transport chairs and reports all observations of the patient's condition to RN, LPN, or provider. Uses safe patient handling and mobility equipment, to prevent patient or staff injury. Attends all safety huddles and debriefings in designated services and provides meaningful input and concerns regarding patient safety. Documents all nursing care in electronic health record (EHR), completes ADL templates in the Community Living Center, and on all units, completes forms, reports, and records. Provides a range of patient care and contributes to the completion of the care plan and recovery of patients. Communicates effectively with patients, families, and other health professionals. This includes leading as a group facilitator. Weighs patients, obtains heights, completes vital signs as ordered, and reports findings outside of normal limits to RN, LPN, or provider and, accurately documents all findings in EHR. Properly uses equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as, continuous passive motion devices, and specimen collections. Maintains work operations by following policies and procedures including inventory and care of equipment, cleans equipment, and monitors equipment for safety. Unsafe equipment will be immediately reported to supervisor. Keeps patient information confidential; patient information is always secured on the computer or in type/writing. Serves and protects the medical center by adhering to professional standards, maintaining knowledge on all hospital policies and procedures, federal, state, and local requirements, and accrediting bodies standards. Updates job knowledge by participating in NA educational opportunities; Examples may include reading professional publications, participating in professional organizations, and maintaining certifications where required. Maintains current BLS requirements and completes all mandatory educational offerings by required due dates. Providing outstanding customer satisfaction using the principles of relationship-based care and "I Care value". Observes-patient or physical and emotional status and refers deviations and problems to the supervisor in a timely manner. This includes 1: 1 observation, sitter and Ava sure Remote Visual Monitoring when required. Work Schedule: Night Shift Tour, 11:30pm - 8:00am Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93235A, 93236A, 93237A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized