Summary

The Oklahoma City VAMC - Primary Care Service is recruiting for one Nursing Assistant. This position will be assigned to the the Oklahoma City - OK VAMC.

Qualifications

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 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. 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/
• Preferred Experience - Mental Health Experience 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 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
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• The incumbent who provides care in home settings or other off-site locations may be required to drive and/or ride in GSA-vehicles.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf 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 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
• 1
• Nursing Assistant Duties: a
• Safely and accurately perform personal care skills - including measuring and recording vital signs to include temperature - pulse - respirations - blood pressure and measuring of height and weight
• Measures and records intake and output - feeding techniques - non-sterile specimen collection - transfer - positioning - and turning techniques
• b
• Self-directed in seeking out RN - Lead Nurse - or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information
• c
• Nurse Aide will work within their scope of practice - competency level and the defined skills list for Nurse Aides for the Oklahoma City VAHCS
• d
• Maintain appropriate communication with patients - families - and other health care workers
• e
• Uses medical asepsis and universal precautions - and document care given is inherent to the role
• f
• Collects Veteran data - participates in care planning - performs approved skills per orders or by protocol in accordance with the care planning
• g
• Assist with patient education and documentation of education provided
• h
• Promotes independence of Veteran by means of respect - limit setting - and individualize treatment
• i
• Initiates basic life support and promptly recognizes/respond to emergent situations
• j
• Participates in unit based educational activities and continuing education opportunities to increase clinical and professional knowledge
• Completes orientation - unit-based in-services - and mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by established timeframes
• Identifies own deficits in skills and knowledge and acts to correct performance
• 2
• Observation - Reporting - Documentation a
• Utilizes observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording
• b
• 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
• c
• Remotely monitors patients using provided equipment and technology
• d
• Uses the Electronic Medical Record - and other approved software as needed to perform duties in assigned area
• e
• Maintains confidentiality of patients/residents in all areas
• 3
• Resource Utilization: a
• Conserves resources effectively by using supplies and equipment in a responsible manner
• Follows appropriate standard operating procedures related to the equipment - devices - and work practices that impact or have the potential to impact the environment
• Will comply with relevant environmental regulations - Executive Orders - and Green Environmental Management Systems (GEMS) initiatives
• Properly handles - reprocesses - and maintains reusable medical equipment according to unit policy - SOP's and VHA Directives
• 4
• Safety: a
• 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
• b
• Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices - such as hand washing and earing of appropriate personal protective equipment
• Demonstrates sage work practices
• Complies with safety rules and regulations of safe job performance and fire protection
• 5
• Customer Service: a
• Communicates information in a calm - non-judgmental - non-threatening manner
• Adheres to established polices on patient/resident abuse - ethical conduct - and patient/resident rights
• b
• 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
• Work Schedule: Varies based on unit needs - compressed tour with weekends
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 55021-A - 55022-A - 55023-A