Nursing Assistant (Float Pool)

Veterans Health Administration•Fayetteville, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Nursing Assistants (NAs) are members of the nursing care team who assist licensed nursing staff in providing preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care to patients and residents. Assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs that may range from predictable to unpredictable. The full-performance level is GS-5, though selection may be made at GS-3 through GS-5. The position is in the Float Pool and works under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 a.m., in 12-hour shifts, with alternating weekends. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. A permanent change of station is not authorized. Duties include providing direct care to complex patients, collecting specimens, performing point-of-care tests and electrocardiograms as directed, monitoring patient safety, transporting patients, documenting care and observations, and reporting changes in condition to appropriate nursing personnel. The NA may also perform complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning, and monitor and document patient intake and output. Applicants must meet the applicable VA experience, education, and KSA requirements for the grade at which they are considered. Employment is subject to citizenship and English-language proficiency requirements, background/security investigation, pre-employment testing and physical examination, influenza vaccination requirements, and completion of onboarding. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Must meet the applicable grade-level experience or education qualifications and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
For GS-3, meet the basic qualification requirements; no additional experience or education beyond those requirements is specified.
For GS-4, have one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience, or two years of relevant post-high-school education, and demonstrate the stated GS-4 KSAs.
For GS-5, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a qualifying four-year course of study/bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate the stated GS-5 KSAs.
Must pass a pre-employment physical examination.
Must undergo a background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis for illegal drug use; refusing the test results in denial of employment.
Must complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and requires written certification.

Responsibilities

Assist licensed nursing staff with preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care for patients and residents.
Provide the full range of nursing care to patients with physical and/or behavioral problems under the direction of an RN and/or LVN/LPN.
Provide direct care for complex patients.
Use a glucose monitoring machine and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
Collect blood samples by phlebotomy as ordered.
Collect stool and urine samples as ordered.
Perform point-of-care urine pregnancy tests.
Perform electrocardiograms for patients with chest pain and other indications as instructed by an RN.
Inventory belongings and provide continuous one-to-one observation for mental health patients.
Transport patients between the Emergency Department, Medical-Surgical, or Community Living Center and designated areas according to nursing orders.
Observe and respond within the NA role to changes in patient condition, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite.
Document care provided, observations, and patient responses using appropriate tools or forms.
Provide safety monitoring through one-to-one observation and line-of-sight care.
Contact appropriate nursing personnel in response to subtle patient changes or deviations.
Perform complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
Monitor and document patient intake and output, and report deviations promptly and accurately.
Communicate with patients, families, the interdisciplinary team, and other personnel; at the GS-5 level, assist with the orientation and practical assessment of new NAs as a preceptor.
Recognize and respond to emergency patient-care situations, intervening while awaiting assistance, such as providing basic life support, controlling bleeding, or assisting during a behavioral crisis.