Nursing Assistant (Comunity Living Center)

Veterans Health Administration • Murfreesboro, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Alvin C. York Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is recruiting a Nursing Assistant for its Community Living Center. The position provides direct care to veterans, including residents with complex needs, under the applicable scope of practice, policies, and procedures. The assistant observes and documents changes in residents' conditions, reports deviations to appropriate health care personnel, supports residents' autonomy and independence, and contributes to care planning and a safe, clean care environment.

The position is full-time, 80 hours per pay period, with a schedule based on service needs and some weekends and holidays. Telework is not available. The full-performance level is GS-05; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05. Long-term care experience is preferred. A sign-on bonus and relocation assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• Meet the applicable U.S. citizenship requirement; non-citizens may be appointed only when recruitment of qualified citizens is not possible under the cited VA rules.
• Have six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills, or one year of related post-high-school education, or completion of a qualifying intensive, specialized Nursing Assistant training course or program of less than one year.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• For GS-4 qualification by experience, have one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or related medical-field experience involving technical and nursing skills, knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and basic and intermediate treatments; alternatively, qualify through two years of related education above high school, and demonstrate the listed KSAs.
• For GS-4, demonstrate ability to provide patient/resident care and contribute to care plans and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and timely report problems; 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, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 related to the assignment and demonstrate the listed professional KSAs; alternatively, qualify through 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 possession of a bachelor's degree.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients/residents with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Meet required pre-employment conditions, including background/security investigation, required onboarding and identification documentation, and urinalysis if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Register with Selective Service if subject to the requirement for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Complete a pre-placement physical examination and meet the position's physical and mental fitness requirements.
• Have visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; be able to perform potentially extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; and be able to lift at least 50 pounds. Patient and object transfers may be required.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities according to organizational needs, and interact with potentially combative patients.
• Meet annual employee health requirements, including influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing.
• Be willing to use protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures when required.

Nice To Haves

• Long-term care experience.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care to veterans with complex needs and observe subtle changes in residents' condition, including changes in behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite; take appropriate action within the Nursing Assistant's assigned role.
• Document care, observations, responses, and residents' conditions using appropriate forms and charting formats.
• Respond to patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, reporting deviations promptly and accurately.
• 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.
• Work with veterans and residents on small-group activities consistent with their treatment plans.
• Respect residents' autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Participate actively in treatment planning meetings and treatment team meetings for resident care planning.
• Use equipment that promotes veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, Hydro Sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Verbally provide patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in residents' plans of care.
• Help maintain a clean and safe patient/resident environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants and orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Function as a member of the unit base council.
• Manage patient behavior through appropriate interventions and request assistance from other health care team members as needed.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate actions in emergencies.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• After 60 days of employment, eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000 may qualify for a child-care subsidy covering up to 25% of eligible costs, subject to a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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