Nursing Assistant-Float Pool

Veterans Health Administration • Johnson City, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) in the Float Pool performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The position may serve in a variety of settings, including outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center (CLC), acute, and sub-acute care. The NA works with adult and older-adult Veterans in a major interdisciplinary teaching medical center, including medical, surgical, neurological, and psychiatric populations. The employee may occasionally be assigned to other Veteran care areas throughout the medical center where healthcare services are available 24/7.

The NA reports to the Nurse Manager and is accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS). The role includes completing mandatory training and annual competency assessments, maintaining customer service standards, and working cooperatively with the interdisciplinary team. The position is a rotational night shift, 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and is not virtual or available for telework.

The work may involve exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials, use of protective clothing in isolation or operative/invasive situations, and occasional contact with combative patients. The employee must be able to work effectively in stressful situations and adjust priorities according to patient needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant course of study of less than one year that may satisfy GS-3 experience requirements.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-4: one year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills, or successful completion of two years above high school with relevant coursework.
• For GS-4: ability to provide patient/resident care and contribute to nursing care plans and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and timely report deviations; use equipment and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or a bachelor’s degree.
• For GS-5: ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under an RN or LPN/LVN; communicate orally with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new nursing assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Physical capability for heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling and pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers and both hands, walking and standing, kneeling, repeated bending, and use of both legs; hearing aids are permitted.
• Position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity, and potentially prolonged walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, lifting more than 10 pounds, and pushing; patient and object transfers may be required.
• Ability to work flexibly and effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience working as a Nursing Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others, treating them with respect and using effective communication.
• Collect data through observation and report and record observations appropriately.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences and shift reports, contributing information to the development and review of nursing care plans.
• Maintain a therapeutic environment by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.
• Provide nursing care to meet patient or resident needs related to personal hygiene, comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitation.
• Perform and document prescribed medical treatments and interventions, including diabetic urine and blood testing and simple dressing changes.
• Use rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, including encouraging and guiding bowel and bladder training.
• Participate in therapeutic group activities under direction and close supervision.
• Monitor patients according to required observation levels, including one-to-one suicide observation, continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding.
• Monitor Veterans at risk of harming themselves or others and refer concerns to the charge nurse or another health care professional according to established procedures.
• Use proper body mechanics and follow procedures for patient care equipment to help prevent injury.
• Report patient status to the RN and document pertinent observations in the medical record.
• Set up and assist in monitoring patient-care equipment, including hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, and portable and wall suction.
• Use glucose monitoring equipment and refer abnormal values to appropriate nursing staff or other health care providers.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist with patient education, including orienting patients and families to unit routines and policies.
• Protect patient privacy and confidential information.
• Begin orienting lower-level nursing assistants.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.
• Meet customer needs and communicate with patients, visitors, volunteers, and staff in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner; provide consistent information and handle conflicts constructively.
• Cooperate courteously as a member of the interdisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may receive a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Prior work or military service may be credited toward annual leave accrual if requested and approved before appointment; credit is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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