Nursing Assistant (Endoscopy)

Veterans Health Administration • Reno, NV

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant escorts patients by ambulatory means, wheelchair, or gurney within the health care system, communicating with and observing them during escort procedures and taking appropriate action to ensure safety. Under minimal direction from a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and/or physician, the Nursing Assistant provides care to chronically and/or acutely ill patients, supports the perioperative department, and provides outpatient nursing care that promotes wellness and prevention.

The role includes collecting and delivering specimens according to unit standards; reporting changes in patient condition or hazardous environments; preparing and positioning patients for diagnostic tests under a nurse's or provider's guidance; and providing personal care, bladder and bowel care, and range-of-motion activities. The Nursing Assistant documents output, reinforces patient education, applies topical products according to facility policy, and participates in pressure ulcer prevention.

The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The vacancy's full performance level is GS-05, with selection possible at GS-03 through GS-05. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable VA rules.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the stated paths: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with related courses; or a qualifying specialized Nursing Assistant training course of less than one year.
• For GS-4 consideration, meet one of the stated paths: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or related medical-field experience; or two years of post-high-school education in a related field, plus the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities in patient care, observation and reporting, use of equipment and supplies, and communication.
• For GS-5 consideration, meet one of the stated paths: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities; or a bachelor's degree or a four-year course of study including 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, plus the stated professional knowledge, skills, and abilities in nursing care, communication, and responding to emergencies.
• Complete a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Complete required background/security investigation and online onboarding; selected applicants must provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position must undergo urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusal results in denial of employment.
• Register for Selective Service if male and born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period and receive written certification that continued employment advances the public interest to remain employed after the trial period.
• Use only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript when used to qualify.
• Complete all application requirements listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Escort patients (ambulatory, wheelchair, or gurney) within the health care system and observe and communicate with them during escort procedures to help ensure patient safety.
• Provide nursing care to chronically and/or acutely ill patients under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and/or physician.
• Support the perioperative department and provide nursing care in the outpatient setting, promoting wellness and prevention.
• Collect sputum, urine (routine and sterile), feces, and other specimens as directed, and store and deliver them to the laboratory according to unit standards.
• Notify the nurse of changes in a patient's condition or hazardous environments, including changes in vital signs, physical or behavioral signs and symptoms, psychosocial status, supplies, or equipment.
• Under a nurse's or provider's guidance, prepare and position patients and arrange and pass medical supplies and materials for diagnostic tests.
• Assist with activities of daily living, including bathing, feeding, oral care, hair care, personal hygiene, and range-of-motion activities.
• Apply ointments, creams, shampoos, solutions, and other products according to facility policy.
• Assist with bladder and bowel care, document output, and reinforce patient education.
• Participate in pressure ulcer prevention according to facility or unit protocol.
• Recognize and report patient deviations or problems to a supervisor in a timely manner; at the GS-05 level, recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Use equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as bladder scans, continuous passive motion devices, blood glucose monitoring, and specimen collection.
• At the GS-05 level, assist with orientation and practical experience assessment for new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor.

Benefits

• Federal employees receive a comprehensive benefits package; benefits eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior federal, work, or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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