Nursing Assistant - Acute Care 5 South

Veterans Health Administration • Los Angeles, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System is seeking a full-time Nursing Assistant for its 5 South unit. As a member of the nursing care team, the Nursing Assistant provides basic to complex nursing care by assisting licensed nursing staff and other care team members. The work is performed under close supervision; the Nursing Assistant learns to perform complex nursing skills and refers issues or questions to supervisors, licensed nursing staff, or other health care professionals.

The position involves patient care in medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient settings. The Nursing Assistant monitors and reports patient status, assists with examinations and procedures, performs routine diagnostic tasks, documents observations, and teaches patients and family members about ongoing care and after-care instructions. The full performance level is GS-05; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05.

This is a full-time, onsite position with a schedule of 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., including rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: 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 an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant course of study or program lasting less than one year.
• For GS-04 consideration, meet either one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or related medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or two years of post-high-school education in a relevant field, and demonstrate the stated patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-05 consideration, meet either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possess a bachelor's degree; also demonstrate the stated nursing-care, communication, and emergency-response abilities.
• Ability to assist with nursing care for patients with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse, as applicable to GS-05.
• Ability to communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel; GS-05 KSAs include assisting with new Nursing Assistant orientation and assessing practical clinical experience as a preceptor.
• Ability to recognize and respond to emergency patient-care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
• Meet pre-employment screening and onboarding requirements, including drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, a background/security investigation, acceptable identification, and required application documentation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Meet the physical demands of the role, including walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and sometimes carrying heavy loads; use good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.
• 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 and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Monitor vital signs and perform EKGs, upper airway suctioning, and routine diagnostic tests.
• Assist physicians and nurses in caring for and treating patients receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient treatment.
• Set up complex medical equipment for diagnostic examinations, including respirators, surgical wound suction equipment, and traction equipment.
• Assist physicians with diagnostic examinations and procedures such as lumbar punctures, minor surgical procedures, Pap smears, bone marrow procedures, and chest tube insertion.
• Observe and report changes in patient behavior, bodily complaints, and patient condition, including vomiting, bleeding, drainage, skin integrity, and airway patency.
• Recognize emergency situations and intervene while awaiting assistance.
• Enter specific information in patient records or charts.
• Identify and report data concerning complex patient situations, including subtle changes in behavior or condition.
• Teach patients and family members the need to continue health care procedures and follow after-care instructions.
• Perform routine to moderately specialized patient care duties within patient care units.
• Respond to patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patient needs.
• Collect specimens such as urine, feces, or sputum.
• Communicate with patients to understand their feelings and needs for assistance or social and emotional support.
• Document or report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package is available to eligible employees; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED