Nursing Assistant

Pueblo, Colorado, Colorado, This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services/Pueblo Community Living Center. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the Pueblo Community Living Center team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN). Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for this position. 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: Grade Determinations:GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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 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 Nursing Assistant (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 Demonstrate the following 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 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-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. It requires assisting with transferring patients to wheelchairs/litters and transporting them to other departments. In addition to the aforementioned duties, it may involve moving equipment/objects in excess of 40lbs. The position may require the incumbent to go up and down several flights of stairs in response to all emergency codes. 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. 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 as a condition of employment. [“Duties include but are not limited to: Follows ECHCS and nursing service policies and procedures for accurately documenting personal belongings and securing patients’ belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures, hearing aids, eyes, and limbs. Completes required documentation timely and accurately with minimal or no guidance; able to assist other staff members. Keeps supply rooms, and patient rooms orderly. Restocks rooms with established par levels. Reports issues with supply levels or restocking to the charge nurse or unit management. Checks for expired products, and discards items with past expiration dates. Puts broken equipment out of service immediately, tags it as such, and submits a Maximo request for repair. Promptly reports all accidents to the Charge Nurse or Nursing Management.

Notifies responsible parties of unsafe or unhealthy environmental situations/conditions. Corrects safety hazards promptly. Adheres to the Medical Center policy on Abuse and Neglect, avoiding any act which could be construed as abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of patients and promptly reports any suspected or actual incidents of patient abuse and/or neglect to their immediate supervisor. Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing and wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment. Dons the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution. Assists patient with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as personal hygiene, and daily nourishment independently and aids co-workers. Performs a variety of nursing care tasks, including assisting with changing clothes, specimen collection, positioning, turning and lifting patients. 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. Assists with application of compression socks, tubi-grip and stump care.

Takes patient vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure, height and weight, recording in the electronic medical record. Accurately measures intake and output. Provides urinary and suprapubic catheter care to include perineal hygiene and the application of external catheters. Changes ostomy appliances and performs bowel and bladder training as outlined by treatment plan. Performs bladders scans, and collects urine, sputum, MRSA Nares or stool specimens per the RN’s direction. Reports all patient critical glucose measurements immediately to nurse responsible. Applies safety devices as directed by the RN. Provides observation for veterans who are safety risks as directed by the Charge RN. Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient’s condition, behavior and/or attitude. Reports abusive, aggressive, threatening behaviors and documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS).

Observes and reports both obvious and subtle changes in patient’s physical condition or emotional status, e. g. , hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory distress, aspiration of mucous, or acute behavior changes or unusual behavior. Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in accordance with established Eastern Colorado Health Care System Center Policy. Treats self, patients, family and others with respect and dignity and can effectively intervene when there is a difficult situation. Listens to patient and family needs/concerns. Reports them to the Charge Nurse and will take immediate action within specific scope to meet the patient’s needs/concerns. Provides emotional support to patient/families and respects patient’s rights and dignity, including privacy and confidentiality. Remains calm in stressful situations and takes appropriate action. Promotes personal and professional integrity in the workplace.

Uses the proper chain of command for communication. Work Schedule: Variable Shifts Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-55671-A, 554-55672-A, 554-55673-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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