Nursing Assistant-Intensive Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration • Wilkes Barre, PA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

Nursing Assistant is an individual who delivers age specific care to adult Veterans according to established policies and procedures under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN). Duties include assisting in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient/outpatient setting. This includes properly using equipment, materials, and supplies for diagnostic and treatment procedures, communicating effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team, and recognizing and reacting to emergent patient care situations. The Nursing Assistant also performs nursing care, including personal care and grooming, monitors patient safety, and provides accurate documentation. The NA float can work in multiple areas including Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (ED), Medical/Surgical/Telemetry (Med/Surg/Tele), Community Living Center, Hospice, and Inpatient Acute Psychiatry Unit, SAARTP (Substance abuse and alcohol treatment unit).

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• 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.
• Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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.
• For GS-4 NA: 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, Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, healthcare 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 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 resident's 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.
• For GS-5 NA: 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: 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.
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• 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).

Responsibilities

• Assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient/outpatient setting under the direction of the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, specimen collection, etc.
• Serve as a preceptor to new CNAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
• Recognize and react to emergent patient care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
• Perform nursing care, as applicable to the Veteran, including all aspects of personal care and grooming.
• Perform support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition.
• Monitor bladder and bowel functioning, tracking of I&O and hydration.
• Provide health care services to the Veteran to include, but not limited to obtaining the Veteran's vital signs, or electrocardiogram (EKG); activities of daily living; and post-mortem care.
• Monitor psychiatric symptoms, assisting in medical and psychiatric emergencies.
• Maintain patient safety and the safety of the environment.
• Provide one-to-one observations for SV watch, elopement watch and safety watch to ensure patient safety.
• Provide accurate documentation per policy, i.e. sitter notes, itemized belongings, vital signs, I & O, etc.
• Float to work in multiple areas including Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (ED), Medical/Surgical/Telemetry (Med/Surg/Tele), Community Living Center, Hospice, and Inpatient Acute Psychiatry Unit, SAARTP (Substance abuse and alcohol treatment unit).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED