The incumbent will be an employee of the Roseburg VA Healthcare System (RVAHCS) Office of Patient Care Services. The position is responsible for the nursing assistant duties, including acute and close observation, taking and documenting vital signs, collecting lab specimens including phlebotomy, passing and picking up meal trays, tracking and documenting intake and output, assisting with transporting of patients/residents, and duties as assigned by the Supervisor or designee. 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. 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. 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. 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: GS-3 NA (Entry Level)Experience 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 NA 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: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 [NA] (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 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, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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 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: The work involves long periods, up to twelve hours, of moving about and between the work units. The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing, and repositioning patients, or similar activities without limitation. Must be able to lift and/or move heavy objects over 45 pounds. Must be able to carry objects over 40 pounds for distances of at least 200 feet. Must be able to hear high and low voice and mechanical tones with or without aides, distinguish between basic color differences and shades. Assignment involves positioning patients/residents and transferring them to wheelchairs, stretchers, and beds using proper body mechanics. The work requires regular and recurring ability to physically control or defend against emotionally ill and psychologically unstable patients. ["The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Provides assistance with bathing and personal hygiene needs, shower or bed bath, shaving, nail care, toileting, and activities of daily living. Drains catheter bags, sets up meal trays and assists with feeding, monitors and documents food/fluid intake and output, and turns and repositions bedridden patients regularly to prevent skin breakdown. Uses appropriate safe patient handling (SPH) equipment for patient turns, re-positioning and transfers to minimize risk of injury to patient and self. Keeps patient area clean and tidy, removes excess clutter, and makes beds. Answers the call light and does bedside rounding. Room set up for admission, and breakdown for discharges. At all times demonstrates effective and professional communication skills with the patient and family, especially with clients experiencing behavioral issues, depression, anger, irritation, suicide ideation, substance abuse withdrawal and pain or discomfort. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient situations including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition, or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. Takes direction and assists nurses in the care and treatment of the ill receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient treatment. Observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient vital signs, behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Reports atypical or abnormal capillary blood glucose (CBG) results and vital signs to the nurse immediately. Ensures two patient identifiers for all tests conducted, e.g., ECG's and CBG's. Provides appropriate level care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior, including the severely depressed, suicidal, or homicidal patient, and the drug or alcohol abuse patient. Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance. Provides nursing treatment for acutely ill patients whose needs require advance skill such as (DS)placing patient on cardiac monitor, taking EKG's(DS). Assists nurses in the performance of bedside diagnostic examinations and therapies by ensuring patient privacy, setting up with equipment and supplies and performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, preparing and positioning the patient, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests. Maintains cleanliness and removes unnecessary items from the immediate procedural area. Observes universal precautions and facility workplace guidelines at all times. Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, professional bleeding, nurse type. Prepares and amount patients of for drainage, transport skin to integrity, diagnostic patency procedures of that airway, occur etc. to outside the of the unit. Enters specific information onto patients' records or charts, including vital signs and daily weights. Follows designated charting technique to post to patients' charts that provides a daily outline or summary of the patient's care. Documents pertinent information inducing current health status, and/or subtle changes in the patient's bio-psychosocial status. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care and/or patient teaching. Teaches patients and family members the necessity to continue recommended therapeutic procedures for proper health care. Provides specific health information based on patient's condition, e.g., acceptance of limited physical mobility, proper body mechanics, pre- and post-operative breathing techniques, etc. Refers inquires as appropriate to professional nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Work Schedule: 0600-1430, 1400-2230, 2200-0630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.