Nursing Assistant - Long Term Care

Nursing Assistant - Long Term Care

Summary

The Nursing Assistant provides a range of assistance and support for veteran patients, providing personal patient care including Activities of Daily Living, support for diagnostic procedures, performing technical nursing treatments as delegated by Nursing staff and documentation under the guidance of a Registered Nurse. The Nursing Assistant is an integral member of the nursing care team in direct service to veterans and families.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

a
Citizenship
Citizen of the United States
(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b
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
c
Physical Requirements
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
d
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
e
Grandfathering Provisions
All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: [(1)] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
[(2)] If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
Grade Determinations: Will be made in accordance with VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 at time of tentative job offer
References: VA Handbook 5005 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: 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 patient 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 or operative/invasive procedures
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.

Duties

'DUTIES MAY INCLUDE HOWEVER ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Supports Diagnostic Procedures a.
Assists providers and nurses in the performance of diagnostic examinations by performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, preparing and positioning the patient, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests such as obtaining routine urinalysis, clean catch urines, and stool specimens.
Assists with Technical Nursing Treatments a.
Assists physicians and nurses in the care and treatment of Residents.
Observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient behavior, attitude, bodily complaints and appearance.
b.
Observes Residents for any change in condition (deviation in color, pulse, respiration, temperature and blood pressure) and reports them to the Registered Nurse.
c.
Reports the condition of wounds and skin and any reaction to or results of treatments.- Direct Resident Care a.
Provides a full range of patient care to complex Residents with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems including personal nursing care, support duties and treatments.
b.
Uses good communication skills in dealing with Residents, some of whom are unusually difficult to care for or communicate with.
c.
Provides effective action in emergency situations.
d.
Performs actions targeted to the maintenance/restoration of skin integrity by assisting nurses with turning patients and cleaning patients as needed.
e.
Assists nurses, preparing Residents for transport to procedures by obtaining oxygen tanks or other needed equipment.
f.
Complies with universal precaution and with all infection control policies and procedures g.
Provides emotional Resident and family care.
h.
Maintain Resident privacy.
i.
Responds appropriately to emergency situationsj.
Assists/completes clerical and transport functions as needed.k.
Makes rounds to ensure visual contact, safety and comfort of each Resident.- Indirect Care a.
Maintains a safe/clean work environment and completes assigned environmental duties b.
Demonstrates appropriate actions in environmental emergency situations.
c.
Employs appropriate lifting/moving, transfer and assistive devices and demonstrates safe and proper body mechanics.d.
Utilizes equipment in a safe manner.
e.
Reports unsafe equipment and working conditions to appropriate individuals.
f.
Offers assistance to coworkers when needed.
g.
Participates in QI activities as directed.
h.
Practice cost effective measures in the use of supplies and equipment.
Enters Information on the Resident's Records/Charts a.
Enters specific information onto the patients' records using the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
b.
Enters information regarding the care rendered and the condition and progress of the Resident.
c.
Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care and/or basic patient education.
Personal Resident Care a.
Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the Resident.
b.
Takes care of the Residents routine care and comfort needs for psycho/social/spiritual well-being, personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, rehabilitation, safety, etc.- Resident Teaching a.
Teaches Resident and family members the necessity to continue the procedures for proper health care.
b.
Assists with specific health teaching, such as reminding diabetic patients of the importance for skin care and following a diet, reinforcing the importance of exercise and diet for the cardiac patients, etc.- Environment of Care a.
Support professional staff and Residents as needed with maintaining a clean, safe environment of care.
b.
Cleans bedside tables, stocks linens, cleans wheelchairs and other direct resident care equipment using appropriate precautions- Resident Safety a.
Use standard precautions and personal/Resident protective devices b.
Recognizes and reports unsafe situations.
Initiates appropriate emergency interventions c.
Maintains a safe/clean work environment, ensuring Resident privacy d.
Participates in unit-based medical center and organizational in-services and continuing education activities e.
Adheres to dress-code policy f.
Completes all TMS in a timely manner Work Schedule: To be discussed at time of interview.
Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized For Highly Qualified Applicants'