Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Chicago, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) performs activities of daily living and provides care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA cares for patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions and may assume peer education and mentorship responsibilities. The role works as part of a nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff and referring concerns to the appropriate health care professional. The position is not available for telework or virtual work. The work schedule includes day and night shifts, with listed shift times of 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For GS-03: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA work knowledge and skills; or one year of education above high school with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA course or program of less than one year. No experience or education beyond basic requirements is required for the GS-03 grade determination.
• For GS-04: one year of specialized NA experience or related medical-field experience involving technical and nursing skills and knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and basic and intermediate treatments; or two years of post-high-school education with relevant coursework. Candidates must also demonstrate the stated abilities to provide patient care and contribute to care plans, observe and report changes, use equipment for basic procedures, and communicate effectively.
• For GS-05: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must demonstrate the stated abilities to assist with the full range of nursing care, communicate with patients and care teams and serve as a preceptor to new NAs, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Subject to background and security investigation, and to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Must complete required onboarding and application documentation, provide acceptable identification, and meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which the VA evaluates fitness for continued employment.
• Must be able to meet the physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing, and potentially transferring patients and objects.
• May be exposed to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation or operative/invasive procedures, and occasionally combative patients; must be flexible and able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.

Nice To Haves

• Phlebotomy experience.
• 12-lead EKG experience.
• At least two years of experience in a hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Collect and document glucose readings for assigned Veterans using a glucose monitoring machine, and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others by respecting human dignity and using effective communication skills.
• Use proper body mechanics while providing patient care.
• Use equipment, materials, and supplies in basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, including bladder scans, continuous passive motion devices, and specimen collection.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences and shift reports, contributing information to the development and review of nursing care plans.
• Maintain a therapeutic environment by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.
• Observe subtle changes in residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and act within the NA’s assigned role.
• Monitor Veterans who may be at risk of harming themselves or others according to established procedures, and refer concerns to the charge nurse or another health care professional.
• Set up patient-care equipment such as hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, and portable or wall suction, and assist in monitoring proper equipment function.
• Apply and maintain 5-lead EKG monitors, including lead placement and batteries, and use bedside or standalone EKG machines to perform 12-lead EKGs when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Annual leave accrual credit may be available based on prior federal work 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