Nursing Assistant - Acute Care Inpatient

Veterans Health Administration • Milwaukee, WI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant position is in the Acute Care Inpatient Nursing Division at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Health Care System. The Nursing Assistant supports licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

The position requires appropriate communication with internal and external customers, protection of patient and resident information, and understanding of the Medical Center’s Performance Improvement Program. The Nursing Assistant works safely, follows infection-control policies and equipment-use guidelines, and provides competent, personalized, age-specific care to a diverse patient and resident population, including people with dementia. Care includes applying knowledge of aging and adult and geriatric growth and development.

This is a full-time, day-shift position with rotating days, weekends, and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full-performance level is GS-5; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-5.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; or one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of a qualifying intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of less than one year. Transcripts or certification are required when applicable.
• For GS-4: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field involving technical and nursing skills; or successful completion of two years of post-high-school education in a related field. Transcripts are required when qualifying through education.
• For GS-4, demonstrate ability to provide a range of patient or resident care and contribute to the nurse care plan and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and promptly report deviations or problems; properly use equipment and supplies for basic 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 qualifying four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that includes 24 semester hours related to health care, or possession of a bachelor’s degree.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Subject to background and security investigation, pre-employment urinalysis for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and application requirements, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.
• Communicate and interact appropriately with internal and external customers.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient and resident information in electronic, verbal, and written communications.
• Understand the Medical Center’s Performance Improvement Program.
• Work safely and follow infection-control policies, procedures, and established equipment-use guidelines.
• Provide competent care to a diverse patient and resident population.
• Provide age-specific care using knowledge of aging and adult and geriatric growth and development.
• Deliver personalized care to patients and residents with dementia.
• Observe patients’ or residents’ physical or emotional status and refer deviations or problems to a supervisor in a timely manner.
• Use equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures, such as bladder scanning, continuous passive motion, blood glucose monitoring, and specimen collection.
• Recognize and respond to emergent patient or resident care situations, intervening while waiting for assistance.
• At the GS-5 level, assist with orientation and practical experience assessment for new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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