Nursing Assistant - Geriatrics and Extended Care

Veterans Health Administration • Prescott, AZ

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking a Nursing Assistant to join the Geriatrics and Extended Care Community Living Center team. The role provides direct care to veterans, including veterans with complex needs, and requires observing changes in residents’ condition and responding within the Nursing Assistant’s assigned role. The position is full-time in a 24/7 hospital and may require flexibility in schedules and assignments. Some positions may rotate tours or work indefinitely on non-administrative tours, as established by the immediate supervisor. Additional duties may be assigned.

The actual grade may be GS-03 to GS-05, with GS-05 identified as the full performance level. The position is not virtual or telework eligible. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic experience or education pathways: six months of general experience; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.
• For GS-4 consideration, meet the stated specialized experience or education pathway and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, including providing patient/resident care, observing and reporting physical or emotional changes, using equipment for basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communicating effectively.
• For GS-5 consideration, meet the stated progressively responsible experience or education pathway and demonstrate the required professional knowledge, skills, and abilities, including assisting with nursing care under a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse, communicating with patients and care teams, precepting new Nursing Assistants, and responding to emergent care situations.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, onboarding and identification requirements, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification requirements.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; and possible patient and object transfers.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and potentially work with combative patients or in settings involving exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials, using protective clothing when required.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain veterans’ glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care for complex veterans.
• Observe subtle changes in residents’ condition, including behavior, mood, skin coloring, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the Nursing Assistant’s assigned role.
• Document care provided, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
• Respond to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, and report deviations promptly and accurately.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed