Nursing Assistant - Critical Care(ICU)

Veterans Health Administration • Tucson, AZ

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs activities of daily living and provides care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of licensed health care providers. The work may take place in outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center, acute, sub-acute, or other care settings, supporting patients and residents with acute through chronic conditions. The position’s full performance level is GS-05; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05.

The NA provides direct care to complex Veterans, monitors and reports changes in condition, documents care and observations, and performs nursing procedures within scope and policy. Duties also include tracheostomy care and suctioning, glucose monitoring, intake and output monitoring, patient and resident activities, treatment planning participation, mentoring and orienting other NAs, and helping maintain a clean and safe care environment.

The position is on the night shift and is not eligible for telework. It is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The position requires a pre-employment physical evaluation and annual employee health requirements, and includes a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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 less than one year as applicable to GS-3 qualification.
• For GS-4, either one year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field performing relevant technical and nursing skills, or successful completion of two years above high school with related courses; candidates must also demonstrate the specified KSAs.
• For GS-5, either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a qualifying four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health care courses or possession of a bachelor’s degree; candidates must also demonstrate the specified KSAs.
• Ability to provide a range of nursing care and contribute to patient care plans and recovery.
• Ability to observe physical or emotional status and timely refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Ability to use equipment and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures, including glucose monitoring and other procedures as applicable to grade.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients or residents, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel; GS-5 KSAs include precepting and supporting orientation of new NAs.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Subject to background/security investigation and pre-employment urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal of required testing results in denial of employment.
• Must meet applicable identification and online onboarding requirements and complete the application requirements in the announcement.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and completion of annual employee health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification to continue employment after the trial period.
• Physical capabilities include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities according to patient needs.
• Must be able to tolerate potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required.
• May be exposed to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation or procedural protective-clothing requirements, and combative patients.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of current Nursing Assistant experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform activities of daily living and provide nursing care under the direction of licensed health care providers.
• Provide direct care to Veterans with complex needs and patients or residents with acute, sub-acute, or chronic conditions.
• Assist with the full range of nursing care for patients or residents with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of an RN and/or LVN/LPN.
• Observe patients’ or residents’ physical, behavioral, and emotional status, recognize subtle changes, and respond or notify appropriate nursing personnel.
• Recognize and respond to emergent care situations, including initiating basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavioral crises while awaiting help.
• Use a glucose monitoring machine and report deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Administer complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and accurately document intake and output, reporting deviations promptly.
• Perform procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Document care provided, observations, patient responses, and condition in appropriate tools, forms, and chart formats.
• Contribute patient information to care plans and participate in treatment planning and resident care meetings.
• Lead small-group activities in accordance with patient or resident treatment plans; promote autonomy and independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Use equipment to promote self-care and properly use equipment, materials, and supplies in diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Maintain a clean and safe environment by removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, following safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and using proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants, helping coordinate orientation and oversee or assess clinical experience.
• Orient health care team members to the units as appropriate.
• Manage patient behavior and request assistance from other health care team members when needed.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a range of federal employee benefits; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Eligible selected applicants may request prior federal or military service credit toward annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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