Nursing Assistant (Medical Oncology)

Veterans Health Administration • Aurora, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Patient Care Services, Inpatient Nursing, Acute Care. The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient care as a member of the inpatient nursing team. Work is performed under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN), who reviews the work. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-5; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5.

The Nursing Assistant performs a range of patient-care tasks, including assisting with activities of daily living, mobility, rehabilitation, hygiene, and infection prevention; taking and documenting measurements and observations; collecting specimens; assisting with diagnostic and monitoring procedures; and responding to changes in patients’ conditions and emergencies. The position also involves maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, supporting admissions, discharges, and transfers, and documenting care in designated patient-record systems.

The work schedule is to be determined. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. Physical demands include prolonged periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring and transporting patients; and possibly moving equipment or objects weighing more than 40 pounds. The role may involve climbing stairs during emergency responses, exposure to infectious patients and contaminated materials, wearing protective clothing, and occasional exposure to combative patients. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience, education, or training qualification through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course or program of less than one year. A qualifying VA grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-4 qualification, one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or related medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills; or the specified education pathway of two years of post-high-school coursework related to nursing or health care, along with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• GS-4 candidates must demonstrate ability to provide patient care and contribute to nursing care plans and recovery; observe patients’ physical or emotional status and promptly report deviations; use equipment and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5 qualification, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 directly related to the assignment, or the specified education pathway of a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related coursework, or possession of a bachelor’s degree; required knowledge, skills, and abilities also apply.
• GS-5 candidates must demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients with physical or behavioral problems under an RN and/or LPN/LVN; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Must complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period if selected.
• Must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including patient transfers and potentially moving equipment or objects over 40 pounds.
• If qualifying with foreign education, provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts; education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Nice To Haves

• One to three years of inpatient Nursing Assistant/CNA experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform nursing care tasks appropriate to the employee’s training under the direction, guidance, and supervision of an RN.
• Maintain clean equipment, patient rooms, and ward areas to support a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment.
• Care for patients requiring isolation precautions and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Use sterile technique for treatments and simple dressings that do not require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medication.
• Wrap stumps; irrigate and stabilize ostomies; change ostomy appliances; and perform bowel and bladder training according to the treatment plan.
• Observe peripheral and central venous catheters for redness, swelling, or pain and report findings to the RN.
• Provide urinary and catheter care, including perineal hygiene and application of external catheters.
• Assist with rehabilitation and prevention of deformities by positioning patients correctly and helping with activities of daily living and ambulation; perform range-of-motion activities.
• Measure and record vital signs, height, weight, and intake and output.
• Recognize overt abnormal signs, symptoms, or changes in a patient’s condition and respond appropriately; report patient complaints, treatment results, and changes in physical condition, behavior, or emotional status to nursing staff.
• Use CPRS and Clinicomp/Essentris according to policy and document care accurately, concisely, consistently, and promptly.
• Apply safety devices as directed, including soft ankle and wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints, and padded side rails.
• Report abusive, aggressive, or threatening behavior and document it through the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System; initiate Code Yellow when directed by the RN.
• Assist with patient admission, discharge, and transfer according to medical center and nursing service policies, and implement orders and nursing interventions promptly.
• Follow safe patient-handling practices, use proper body mechanics and mechanical devices, and seek assistance when moving, lifting, or turning patients as needed.
• Assist in supervising patients during transfers and personal hygiene and support infection prevention and preventative and rehabilitative care.
• Document and secure patients’ personal belongings, including valuables and prosthetic devices, according to policy.
• Perform bladder scans and EKGs and collect urine, sputum, MRSA nares, or stool specimens as directed by the RN.
• Immediately report critical glucose measurements to the nurse responsible for the patient’s care.
• Assist the RN with placing patients on telemetry when indicated; verify patient and placement with the telemetry technician; and change Philips IntelliVue MX40 telemetry batteries when requested.
• Initiate CPR or activate Code Blue according to medical center policy for patients who are unresponsive or not breathing.
• Monitor patients’ oxygen use and compliance under RN guidance to support adequate perfusion and correct flow settings.
• Perform oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN.
• Participate in patient care conferences and contribute to nursing care plans.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service experience toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; eligibility depends on position type and other factors, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

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