Nursing Assistant

Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, This Nursing Assistant (NA) serves Mental Health located at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. The Nurse provides residential care and treatment to Veterans with significant mental health needs including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental illnesses as well as domiciliary care for homeless veterans and general domiciliary care. 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. Education: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant 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 Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English. Preferred Experience: At least one year nursing assistant experience. Grade Determinations:GS-3 Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

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 residents’ 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. GS-5 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).

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: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds); heavy carrying (up to 50 pounds); straight pulling (2-4 hours); pushing (2-4 hours); reaching above shoulders (1-2 hours); use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4-6 hours); standing (4-6 hours); repeated bending (2-4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color; hear (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability.

[“The NA is responsible for: – Providing direct patient care aimed at supporting the cognitive, emotional, medical, physical, and chronological maturation needs of the Veterans residing in the Mental Health. Responsibilities include day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday direction of all patient care related activities. Ensures that safety in the environment of care is maintained at all times and that patients are not engaging in potentially unsafe or non-therapeutic activities. – Assists in a technical, specialized, and supportive nature to nursing, psychology, social work, medical providers, and ancillary support staff in the treatment of patient illness, including medical and psychiatric conditions. Collects information, delivers patient care, and provides education to patients. – Functions as a member of the multi-disciplinary treatment team. Upon admission of the patient to the Mental Health, the NA orients the patient to the unit and assists with admission procedures such as vital signs, person and belonging searches, and room assignments. Documents interactions at the time of admission, per shift and as needed in accordance with all Mental Health policies and procedures. – Responsible for delivery of services and treatment related activities as directed by the Nurse Manager or designee, Clinical Staff including Psychologists, Social Workers, Registered Nurse, Nursing Officer of the Day (NOD), or Medical Staff. Responsible for the notification of the treatment team regarding the daily compliance of the patients with unit expectations and treatment related activities.

– Provides supportive counseling and collaborates/coordinates with the RN as needed for higher level intervention. – Ensures veterans are aware of and attend all appointments, adhere to the rules and regulations of the unit, and are following the interventions outlined in the patient’s treatment plan notifying interdisciplinary team member(s) with deviations. – Responsible for maintaining professional boundaries with all patients; including treating all patients equally not showing favoritism, not entering into a friendship or the perception of a friendship with a patient, touching patients appropriately and only when indicated to carry out professional duties, and maintaining an exchange of information with patients that is limited to that needed for ongoing care. – Understands/verbalizes an understanding of the unique qualities of individual patients to maintain consistency in the Mental Health environment and demonstrates the ability to be flexible and responsive to individual patient needs and behaviors. – Work closely with the treatment team to identify significant changes in patient behaviors. – Immediately report behavioral changes to the RN or designee to determine the necessary action, including referral for treatment by the respective clinical staff. – Documents significant behavioral changes and subsequent follow up in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR). – Takes an active role in carrying out psychosocial aspects of the behavioral treatment plan. These are: Directing patients to maintain appropriate personal hygiene; Directing patients toward more appropriate behavior in their personal interactions; Assisting patients with problem-solving activities. -Communicates regularly with nursing, clinical and administrative staff regarding special patient care problems and behavioral needs not being addressed and works closely with other clinical staff in the unit to address special patient care problems.

-Responds to behavioral or medical crises of patients and initiates appropriate action. Promptly refers acutely ill, injured, or those suffering from behavioral or acute psychiatric problems to the RN for appropriate medical and/or psychiatric care. – Conducts regular rounds to check on the health, safety and wellbeing of patients, physical plant problems, equipment, and security problems according to Mental Health procedures. Initiates appropriate correction of these problems including requesting work orders or calling for emergency repairs. -Directs the appropriate response and evacuation during fire drills. Keeps the Nurse Manager advised of all corrective actions and disaster emergencies. – Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 330pm to 12 midnight rotating weekends and holidays. Relocation/Recruitment Incentive: Authorized Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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