Nursing Assistant- Hospitality/Orderly

Veterans Health Administration • Phoenix, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) is a member of the nursing care team who assists licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs that can range from predictable to unpredictable. At the full-performance level, the NA also undertakes peer education and mentorship responsibilities.

The role involves observing and reporting changes in patients’ physical or emotional condition, obtaining vital signs, assisting with activities of daily living and other aspects of nursing care, and supporting patient safety, comfort, rehabilitation, and independence. The NA contributes to patient-centered conferences and treatment planning, maintains patient-care equipment and supplies, assists with patient transfers and transportation, and works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team. The position is full-time, with a scheduled tour of 0630–1500 that may change based on facility needs. Telework is unavailable, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be available if eligible; permanent change of station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable rules.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA training course or program of less than one year.
• Meet the applicable grade-level qualifications. GS-4 requires either one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience, or two years of relevant post-high-school education, as well as the stated patient-care, observation, equipment-use, and communication abilities. GS-5 requires either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 or a qualifying bachelor’s degree, as well as the stated nursing-care, communication and preceptor, and emergency-response abilities.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Complete required background and security investigation and online onboarding; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Submit all application requirements specified in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Meet the position’s physical requirements, which may include extended walking, standing, or sitting; moderate lifting; repeated bending or kneeling; direct patient care; and use of safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.
• Be flexible with schedule and assignments as the position may require.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience as a healthcare provider or nursing assistant, including acute-care and/or long-term-care experience.
• Nursing Assistant (CNA/LNA) and/or Medical Assistant training or certification.
• Demonstrated ability to provide safe, compassionate, patient-centered care; familiarity with supporting nursing workflows; commitment to shared decision-making; and active participation in a positive, team-based practice environment.

Responsibilities

• Identify and report patients’ physical signs, symptoms, changes, and complaints outside the NA’s scope to the RN or supervisor.
• Initiate trained emergency procedures and report actual or potential workplace safety hazards.
• Monitor Veterans at risk of harming themselves or others according to established procedures and refer concerns to the charge nurse or another healthcare professional.
• Observe changes in residents’ behavior, mood, skin color, appetite, and other indicators, and respond within the assigned role by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Obtain patients’ vital signs, recognize obvious discrepancies, and report them to the RN or supervisor.
• Assist assigned patients with activities of daily living.
• Participate in and contribute information and suggestions to patient-centered conferences and treatment-planning meetings.
• Learn to use a glucose-monitoring machine and collect and document glucose readings for assigned Veterans.
• Use rehabilitative principles to promote independence and recovery, and encourage and guide patients in bowel and bladder training.
• Promote positive therapeutic relationships and respect the dignity of patients, families, significant others, and staff through effective communication.
• Use observation skills to collect, report, and record patient and resident information.
• Provide care related to personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity and exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, skin-breakdown prevention, rehabilitation, and mental well-being.
• Participate in therapeutic group activities, including off-station trips, reality orientation, and current-events groups, under direction and close supervision.
• Report patient observations to the RN and other members of the treatment team.
• Maintain and set up patient-care equipment; organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Help orient patients and families to unit routines and policies.
• Work cooperatively and courteously as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Protect patient privacy and confidential information.
• Monitor patients according to assigned observation levels, such as one-to-one suicide observation, continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding.
• Follow safety procedures and use protective clothing and equipment, including personal protective equipment, as appropriate.
• Use patient-care equipment and supplies according to procedures to prevent injury, including lifting equipment.
• Use proper body mechanics and appropriate technical skills when caring for patients, adjusting techniques as needed.
• Assist with patient transfers and transportation.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be available if eligible.

What This Job Offers

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