Summary

VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) is a Level 1A interdisciplinary teaching and quaternary facility with service-lines serving primary care - emergency medicine - medicine - surgery - specialty - psychiatry - physical medicine and rehabilitation - neurology - oncology - dentistry - geriatrics and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOC). VAPORHCS operates a Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) which serves homeless Veterans in downtown Portland -

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
• ??????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. 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: Nursing Assistant GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 NA (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 - 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 (c) 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 Preferred Experience: 6 months of hospital nursing assistant experience - Certified Nursing Assistants - and medical terminology knowledge and 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-3. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-4. Physical Requirements: ??????? Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination
• Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties
• Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy - regulation - or statute

Duties

• ASSIGNED DUTIES FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBLITIES Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff Provides direct care for complex veterans Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e
• behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc
• and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role
• Documents care given - observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal x Administers complete tracheostomy care - including suctioning
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas - catheterization - colostomy care - skin care simple dressing - application of braces and prosthetic devices - monitoring of devices
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan
• Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect - limit setting and individualized treatment
• Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care - such as
• lift equipment - Hydro sound Tubs - and Veteran/Resident Wandering System
• Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care - participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning
• Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart - utilizing appropriate formats
• Participates in maintaining a clean - safe environment for the patient/resident Removes defective equipment - reports hazards - observes safety regulations - contributes to infection control - and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties
• Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's - Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate Functions as a member of the unit based council Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members
• Appropriately initiates basic life support - takes actions appropriate action
• May provide monitoring of patients via a Continuous Video Monitoring with completion of training requirements
• Work Schedule: Days - Nights - Weekends - and Holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized