Nursing Assistant-Float Pool

Department of Veterans Affairs • Aurora, CO

35d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services, Inpatient Nursing, Acute Care. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN).

Responsibilities

• Contributes to a safe, clean, & therapeutic environment for patients & staff by maintaining clean equipment, patient's rooms & ward areas.
• Cares for patients with communicable diseases for which various isolations precautions may be required. Don the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution.
• Uses sterile techniques with treatments & simple dressings that do not require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates & stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances & performs bowel & bladder training as outlined by treatment plan.
• Observes PIV/CVC for redness, swelling, or pain & reports findings to RN.
• Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene & the application of external catheters.
• Assists with the rehabilitation of patients & in the prevention of deformities by correct position & assisting with activities of daily living to include ambulation.
• Measures & records vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure & measuring height & weight. Measures & records intake & output. Recognizes overt abnormal signs & symptoms &/or changes in patients' condition & responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information.
• Observes & reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient's condition, behavior &/or attitude.
• Observes & reports both obvious & subtle changes in patient's physical condition or emotional status, e.g. signs of post-operative shock, hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory distress, aspiration of mucous, infiltration of IV, or acute behavior changes or unusual behavior.
• Utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System & Clinicomp/Essentris per policy. Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, & timely.
• Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle & wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints & padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive, threatening behaviors & documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System.
• 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.
• Performs bladders scans, EKGs, & collects urine, sputum, MRSA Nares or stool specimens per the RN's direction.
• Reports all patient critical glucose measurements immediately to nurse responsible for patient's care.
• When indicated, assists RN by placing patients on telemetry monitoring. Verifies proper patient & placement with telemetry technician.
• Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive &/or not breathing.
• Monitors patient's compliance & use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion & proper flow settings. Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN.
• Demonstrates compliance with infection control practices, such as hand washing & wearing of appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Demonstrates safe work practices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees