Nursing Assistant - Clinical Operations (Float Pool)

Veterans Health Administration•Tucson, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Assignments typically involve complex nursing needs that range from predictable to unpredictable. The NA also takes on peer education and mentorship responsibilities. The position provides direct care to veterans, observes and reports changes in their condition, documents care and observations, supports treatment plans and care planning, and helps maintain a clean and safe environment. The NA uses equipment and safe patient-handling practices to support patient self-care and serves as a unit safe patient handling liaison, preceptor, and mentor. The full performance level is GS-05; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-05. The work schedule is 07:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation, or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related nursing assistant course of less than one year that may meet the GS-3 experience requirement.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
For GS-4, either one year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills, or successful completion of two years above high school in an appropriate field of study.
For GS-4, ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to care plans and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations; properly use equipment and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare professionals.
For GS-5, either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 or successful completion of a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of healthcare-related courses, or possession of a bachelor's degree.
For GS-5, ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of an RN and/or LVN/LPN; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel; support Nursing Assistant orientation as a preceptor; and recognize and respond to emergency care situations while awaiting assistance.
Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and required background/security investigation; selected applicants must complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program, as required for VA healthcare personnel.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated.
Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

Two years of recent medical/surgery experience.

Responsibilities

Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain veterans’ glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.
Provide direct care to veterans with complex needs.
Observe subtle changes in residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin coloring, and appetite, and take action within the NA’s assigned role.
Document care provided, observations, and responses using appropriate forms and tools.
Respond to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
Monitor and document patient intake and output, reporting deviations promptly and accurately.
Work with veterans and residents in small-group activities according to their treatment plans.
Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through respectful, individualized care and appropriate limit-setting.
Participate actively in treatment planning meetings and treatment-team meetings for resident care planning.
Use equipment that promotes veteran self-care, including lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
Provide patient information verbally to the treatment team for inclusion in care plans and enter resident-condition information in the chart using appropriate formats.
Help maintain a clean and safe 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 healthcare team members to the unit as appropriate.
Function as a member of the unit base counsel.
Manage patient behavior and intervene appropriately, requesting assistance from other healthcare team members when needed.
Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action in emergencies.