Nursing Assistant-MH RESIDENTIAL REHABILITATION & TREATMENT PROGRAM (MH RRTP)

Department of Veterans Affairs•White City, OR

32d•Onsite

About The Position

The NA embraces patient-family centered care principles. The incumbent practices excellent customer service in all work activities. The NA must be poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational levels and varied ethnic backgrounds. The NA makes caring for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work. The NA is willing to work cooperatively as a member of a team in all assignments.

Responsibilities

Patient Education, Health Promotion, and Counseling: Provides education to veterans regarding their health conditions, medications, and self-care strategies to promote independence, health literacy, and informed decision-making. Documents all education and counseling provided.
Medication Assistance: Assists with medication reminders and processes related to basic medication administration within scope of practice.
Emotional Support and Advocacy: Offers emotional support, advocates for veterans' needs, and facilitates social engagement, participation in activities, and group interactions to enhance overall well-being.
Veteran Monitoring and Environmental Observation: Performs scheduled rounding, veteran location monitoring, searches, and environmental observations to identify contraband, subtle changes in condition, behavior, mood, or condition and responds appropriately by notifying the nursing staff or rehab technician supervisor. Ensures a safe environment by reporting hazards, removing defective equipment, and maintaining infection control standards.
Utilizes glucose monitoring machines to obtain glucose readings, reports deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.
Makes observations of subtle changes in residents' conditions and responds within scope.
Provides direct care for complex veterans, including performing nursing procedures such as enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, application of braces and prosthetic devices, and monitoring intake/output.
Monitors and documents patient intake and output accurately and timely.
Performs vital signs assessment including blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and pulse oximetry, and documents findings appropriately.
Conducts EKG measurements, if trained and within scope, and documents results accurately.
Recognizes residents' autonomy, promotes independence through respect and individualized treatment.
Participates in mass vaccination efforts according to competency, scope, and policy.
Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings as needed.
Provides verbal and written information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran's plan of care.
Enters resident condition updates into the electronic medical record using appropriate formats.
Works on small group activities aligned with the residents' treatment plans.
Participates in all required huddles and team meetings.
Utilizes equipment such as lift devices to promote self-care and safety.
Maintains a clean, safe environment, adhering to safety regulations and infection control protocols.
Serves as a unit's safe patient handling liaison.
Removes defective equipment and reports hazards promptly.
Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other nursing assistants.
Orient new team members to the unit's operations and standards.
Functions as a member of the unit-based council
Manages patient behavior appropriately, intervening as needed and requesting assistance from other healthcare team members.
Appropriately initiates basic life support and takes necessary emergency actions.
Documents care activities, observations, responses, vital signs, EKG measurements, and resident progress in charts and appropriate forms.
Communicates effectively with the treatment team, family, and caregivers when necessary.