Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The VA Northport Healthcare System is recruiting Nursing Assistants for its Nursing-GEC service. The Nursing Assistant works as a member of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff with patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. At the full-performance level, the Nursing Assistant provides activities of daily living and a range of care that supports each Veteran’s treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. Work may take place in outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center, acute, or sub-acute settings, with patients who have acute or chronic conditions.

The position requires providing direct care to complex Veterans, observing and reporting changes in patients’ conditions, documenting care and responses, and carrying out procedures within the scope of practice and according to applicable policies and procedures. The Nursing Assistant contributes to treatment planning, supports patient independence and self-care, participates in team activities and meetings, and helps maintain a clean and safe care environment. The role also includes mentoring and orienting Nursing Assistants and other health care team members as appropriate.

The full performance level is GS-5; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5. The position is permanent and has a work schedule of 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., including required weekends and holidays. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exceptions for non-citizens.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education qualification through six months of general experience, one year of post-high-school education with related courses, or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course of less than one year.
• For GS-4 qualification by experience: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and basic and intermediate treatments; alternatively, successful completion of two years of related post-high-school education.
• For GS-4, demonstrate ability to provide a range of patient or resident care and contribute to the nurse care plan and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and refer problems promptly; properly use equipment and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5 qualification by experience: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to the GS-4 level, demonstrating skills and knowledge related to the assignment; alternatively, a bachelor's degree or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that includes 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to provide the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel, including precepting new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Experience must be documented and verifiable; part-time experience is credited in proportion to the full-time workweek.
• Meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Pass applicable pre-employment drug screening, background and security investigation, and onboarding requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in providing patient and resident care under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Provide activities of daily living and direct care, including care for complex Veterans, to support treatment plans, recovery, and wellness.
• Provide nursing care to patients or residents with physical and behavioral needs in hospital, long-term care, outpatient, home, or community living settings.
• Recognize and respond to emergent care situations, including initiating basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting during behavioral crises while awaiting help.
• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Observe changes in patients’ or residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin coloring, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the assigned role.
• Document care provided, observations, patient responses, and relevant condition information using appropriate forms and charting formats.
• Monitor and document intake and output, and report deviations promptly and accurately.
• Perform tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Perform procedures within scope of practice and in accordance with policy and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Participate in small-group activities according to patient or resident treatment plans and support autonomy, respect, independence, and individualized treatment.
• Use equipment to promote patient self-care and contribute information to the treatment team and plan of care.
• Participate in treatment planning meetings and resident care planning meetings.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to Nursing Assistants, assist with their orientation, and oversee or assess their practical experience in clinical settings.
• Orient health care team members to units as appropriate.
• Manage patient behavior, intervene as appropriate, and request assistance from other health care team members.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment by removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and using proper aseptic technique.
• Complete mandatory training on time and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level