Summary

This position located at the Lebanon VA Medical within the Hospice Care unit.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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. 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 for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-3 Nursing Assistant(a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements.(b) Assignments
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised GS-4 Nursing Assistant(a)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 - (b)Education
• Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• iii 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
• iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant(a) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs
• i 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
• ii 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
• iii 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: At least one year nursing assistant 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Duties: Becoming proficient in maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patients - families - and/or significant others - utilizing communication skills
• Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting - and recording
• Participate in patient-centered conferences/shift reports and contribute information for the development and review of the nursing care plan
• Maintain a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents - fire hazards - and faulty equipment
• Competent in performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient resident needs for: Personal Hygiene Physical Comfort Activity - Exercise
• Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Surveillance rounds Occupied bed making Dressing Incontinence care Sitz baths Oral care Skin care Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients - such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing - and simple dressing changes
• Learning to be proficient in utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery - encouraging and guiding patients/residents in bowel and bladder training
• Engaging in group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events - and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision
• Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e
• (one to one suicide - continuous observation - q 15-minute checks - and hourly rounding
• Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional
• Reports patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures
• Sets up patient care related equipment - such as hypothermia machines - oxygen delivery systems - portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment
• Monitors Veteran risk for behaviors - including but not limited to: Elopement
• wandering
• suicide
• fall
• behavior
• and pressure ulcer
• and taking action - when indicated - to include communicating to appropriate personnel - when further intervention is needed - and completing necessary documentation
• Responds during emergencies - assists during fire drills and responds to any safety issues as they arise
• Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire - safety and disaster regulations - practices and procedures - and communicates expectations to staff
• Uses personal protective equipment (PPE) that promotes a safe workplace
• Encourages other staff compliance with safety policies
• Complete oral/pharyngeal suction - cares for urinary catheters (foley - straight - suprapubic) - EUD/Urinary drainage - toileting and incontinence care - ostomy care/bag change - feeding - use of bladder scanner
• Actively seeks educational opportunities to enhance nursing knowledge and skills
• Completes mandatory education requirements
• Completes non-sterile specimen 4 collection - escort patients - postmortem care - maintains proper oxygen therapy devices (nasal cannula/mask) - 1:1 observation - pressure injury prevention measures - application of braces and prosthetics - patient safety rounding - promotes holistic wellbeing of unit/patients - responds to emergencies to assist within scope of practice (CPR) Assigned additional duties as needed Work Schedule: 3pm-11pm for the tour with rotating weekends and holidays
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 595-05225-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized