Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Veterans Health Administration • Philadelphia, PA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant is a member of a nursing care team at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The role assists licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Work is performed under close supervision, with questions and issues referred to supervisors, higher-graded Nursing Assistants, or other healthcare professionals.

The Nursing Assistant provides personal care and comfort, monitors and documents patient observations and vital signs, performs specified tests and treatments, and supports patient safety and daily care. The role also assists with equipment setup, unit orientation, routine supplies, and interdisciplinary teamwork while protecting patient privacy and following safety procedures.

The schedule is a 12-hour rotational day shift, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification paths: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or a specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year. A specified grandfathering provision may apply to qualifying current VHA employees.
• For GS-4 qualification, either one year of Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience performing relevant technical and nursing skills, or two years of post-high-school education in a related field; and the stated KSAs in patient care, observation and timely referral, equipment use in basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communication.
• For GS-5 qualification, either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 in related nursing-care assignments, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 related semester hours or possession of a bachelor's degree; and the stated KSAs in nursing care, communication (including precepting new Nursing Assistants), and recognition and response to emergencies.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a background/security investigation, required testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as determined for the appointment.
• Be able to meet the physical demands of direct patient care, potentially including prolonged walking, standing, or sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, and kneeling.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of CNA experience.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to collect and document glucose readings for assigned Veterans.
• Maintain respectful, therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others using communication skills.
• Observe patients and residents, and collect, report, and record observations.
• Provide care for personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, skin-breakdown prevention, and rehabilitative needs.
• Perform and document prescribed medical treatments and interventions, including urine and blood testing, simple dressing changes, and EKGs.
• Report patient observations to the RN or other members of the treatment team.
• Set up patient-care-related equipment as trained.
• Monitor patients according to specified observation levels, including one-to-one suicide observation, continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding.
• Monitor Veterans who may be at risk of harming themselves or others, follow established procedures, and refer concerns to the charge nurse or another healthcare professional.
• Monitor and document vital signs and report abnormalities to the primary nurse.
• Prepare skin correctly and place electrodes for telemetry monitoring; replace battery packs as indicated.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Help orient patients and families to unit routines and policies.
• Work cooperatively and courteously with the interdisciplinary team.
• Protect patients' confidential information and right to privacy.
• Follow safety practices and procedures for using equipment and supplies, including proper body mechanics and patient-lifting equipment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type and are available from the hiring agency.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior federal employment or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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