Nursing Assistant 5A

Veterans Health Administration • Albuquerque, NM

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico VA Health Care System is seeking a Nursing Assistant for its 5A Medicine Acute Care Service. The Nursing Assistant may work in outpatient, inpatient, home, community living, acute, or sub-acute care settings, supporting veterans and residents with acute to chronic conditions. The position performs patient care and nursing procedures within the Nursing Assistant’s scope of practice and established policies and procedures, while working under nursing direction. The full performance level is GS-05; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-05. The position is not virtual, telework is unavailable, shifts rotate, and relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; or one year of education above high school with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant course or program of less than one year.
• For GS-04, one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills; alternatively, two years of relevant post-high-school education. GS-04 candidates must also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and referral, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-05, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04; alternatively, a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that includes 24 semester hours related to health care, or possession of a bachelor’s degree. GS-05 candidates must demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication and preceptor, and emergency-response abilities.
• Meet applicable pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and completion of onboarding and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
• Meet physical requirements including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity, and capacity for potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; patient and object transfers may be required.
• Be prepared for possible exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation or operative/invasive procedures requiring protective clothing, and occasionally combative patients.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and sound judgment.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in another medical field, such as licensed practical nursing, health technician work, or hospital corpsman service, may qualify toward GS-04 specialized experience.
• Relevant education in nursing care, health care, psychology, psychiatric technology, or operating room technology may qualify toward GS-04 or GS-05 education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain veterans’ glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care to complex veterans.
• Observe changes in residents’ condition, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the assigned role.
• Document care provided, observations, and patient responses using appropriate tools or forms.
• Respond to patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, and report deviations accurately and promptly.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including procedures such as enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Support small-group activities according to patients’ or residents’ treatment plans.
• Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Participate actively in Treatment Planning Meetings.
• Use equipment to promote veterans’ self-care, including lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• At GS-05, assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse, communicate with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• At GS-05, serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with orientation and overseeing or assessing their practical experience in a clinical setting.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families; the specific benefits depend on position type.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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