Nursing Assistant (Surgical-Float)
About The Position
The Nursing Assistant provides patient care procedures under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), and other healthcare team members. Care is provided to patients with acute to chronic conditions in a perioperative setting. The position is at the GS-03 to GS-05 grade range, with GS-05 as the full performance level. The Nursing Assistant completes assigned care safely and promptly, documents care as required, uses and maintains appropriate clinical equipment, and helps prevent patient falls and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers. The role also supports surgical and procedure-room preparation and turnover, assists providers and nurses with patient care, transports patients and other items, monitors patients according to observation levels, and contributes to a clean, safe environment. The Nursing Assistant follows facility and unit policies, infection-control and safety practices, and works within competencies and scope of practice. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with occasional Saturdays. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives, as well as permanent change of station, are not authorized. The position requires BLS certification and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program. Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical and background/security investigation, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
Requirements
- U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
- Proficiency in basic written and spoken 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 related education above high school; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year. A qualifying VA grandfathering provision may also apply to eligible current VHA employees.
- For GS-04, meet either one year of Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or two years of post-high-school education in a related field; and demonstrate the specified patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
- For GS-05, meet either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 in related nursing-care assignments, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or a bachelor's degree; and demonstrate the specified nursing-care, communication and preceptor, and emergency-response abilities.
- Maintain BLS certification.
- Pass a pre-employment physical examination and background/security investigation.
- Complete the required online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
- Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
- Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Two to three years of surgery clinic experience.
Responsibilities
- Complete assigned patient-care tasks safely and in a timely manner.
- Participate in unit-level quality-improvement activities, huddles, team meetings, and assigned committees.
- Document care as required by policy, including intake and output, daily weights, vital signs, pain scores, hourly rounding, and blood glucose testing with notification comments.
- Use appropriate clinical equipment, including EKGs, SCDs, bladder scanners, lift equipment, and glucometers, and maintain quality controls as applicable.
- Follow reusable medical equipment standard operating procedures and participate in equipment inventory.
- Implement interventions to prevent or reduce hospital-acquired pressure ulcers and patient falls under RN/LPN direction.
- Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies, procedures, and competencies.
- Assist with surgical skin preparation, including hair clipping and holding limbs, as needed.
- Turn over, clean, and sanitize examination or procedure rooms; prepare rooms and assist providers and nursing staff with procedure setup.
- Assist providers and nurses in the care and treatment of Veterans.
- Help maintain a clean and safe environment for Veterans.
- Maintain BLS certification and demonstrate proper procedure for initiating CPR.
- Transport patients safely and professionally, using hand-off communication tools as appropriate.
- Transport medications, supplies, equipment, blood, specimens, and other items as directed.
- Monitor patients according to assigned observation levels, including one-to-one and close observation, in accordance with facility policies.
- Perform other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider and assist clinical and non-clinical staff within competence and scope of practice.
- Recognize and report signs of physical or emotional abuse involving patients, families, or significant others.
- Remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
- Follow VHA, facility, and unit-level policies.
- May serve as a preceptor to GS-3 and GS-4 Nursing Assistants.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
