Nursing Assistant (Community Living Center)

Department of Veterans Affairs • Tacoma, WA

36d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides clinical support for the adult and geriatric Veteran under the direction of the Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).The Nursing Assistant on the Community Living Center practices and adheres to a high level of respect and knowledge of Veteran rights to protect the vulnerable and frail Veterans. The Nursing Assistant on the Community Living Center practices and adheres to a high level of respect and knowledge of Veteran rights to protect the vulnerable and frail Veterans. The NA practice includes all activities of daily living, and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the Veteran to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life.

Responsibilities

• Provides care that offers no evidence or concern of abuse.
• Performs, and can mentor other CNAs, in activities of daily living by helping Veterans in their physical functioning, to include personal hygiene, eating, assisting in and out of bed/wheelchairs using proper lifting techniques and safe patient handling equipment.
• Demonstrates the need for minimal supervision and proficient skill in promoting independence in daily living activities.
• Independently follows the Restorative Plan of Care and performs range of motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation and other routine care procedures to complete all restorative exercises.
• Follows the Restorative Plan of Care and performs range of motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation and other routine care procedures.
• Performs general nursing duties competently, including measurement and accurate recording of vital signs, height, weight, intake and output, cleansing and retention enemas, tube feeding, post-mortem care, infection control, isolation, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, changing clean dressings, and applying external catheters.
• Performs, under the supervision of a RN, catheter care, oral -pharyngeal suctioning and tracheostomy suctioning and tracheostomies that are non-complicated and at least five days old.
• Maintains and monitors oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks.
• Applies binders, splints, supportive devices, braces, and other simple devices to aid Veterans in positioning for therapy, applies hot and cold packs, prepares patients for tests, examinations, and treatments. Collects specimens, correctly labels specimens for laboratory examinations and assures timely transportation of specimens.
• Applies ointments, shampoos, and creams considered medications and medication administration.
• Reviews the Veteran's treatment plan and follows the plan in performing resident care. Updates the plan of care in the resident's room to remain current with IDT and NCP in the medical record, and reports changes and discrepancies to the charge nurse.
• Participates in actions to improve the quality of care for Veterans to include fall l) intervention and prevention of pressure sores. Independently implements the Veteran's specific plan of care to prevent falls with injury and pressure sores.
• Cleans and maintains equipment independently or at the direction of the RN/LPN.
• Assists with admission, discharge and transfer of patients.
• Provides one-to-one observation as directed for assaultive and ill residents.
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver for choking, and first aid in accordance with established policy and initiates or complies with other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster.
• Performs other assignments designated by the charge nurse that promote the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees