Nursing Assistant-Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

Veterans Health Administration • Portland, OR

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The position works in a clinical care setting and has a full performance level of GS-5; duties at GS-3 and GS-4 differ in complexity and level of supervision. The actual grade selected may range from GS-3 to GS-5.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time, with the tour varying according to service needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station relocation assistance are not authorized.

Applicants must meet the applicable VA qualifications for the grade. The basic requirements include U.S. citizenship, qualifying experience or education, and proficiency in spoken and written English. The position requires a pre-employment physical evaluation, background/security investigation, drug screening for testing-designated positions, and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program. Selected applicants must complete onboarding and a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire nursing assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related nursing assistant course of study lasting less than one year.
• For GS-4, either one year of specialized nursing assistant experience or relevant experience in another medical field, or two years of post-high-school education in a related field; the applicable pathway also requires the stated patient-care knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-5, either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 that demonstrates relevant knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree; candidates must also demonstrate the stated professional KSAs.
• Ability to provide a range of patient or resident care and contribute to nursing care plans and recovery.
• Ability to observe physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Ability to use equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients or residents, families, and health professionals.
• At GS-5, ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of an RN and/or LVN/LPN; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel; support and assess new nursing assistants’ practical orientation; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and applicable background/security investigation and drug screening.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete all application and onboarding requirements, including acceptable identity documentation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Use glucose monitoring machines to obtain Veterans’ glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care for complex Veterans and document care provided.
• Recognize subtle changes in patients’ conditions and contact appropriate nursing personnel.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, reporting deviations accurately and promptly.
• Perform procedures within scope of practice and in accordance with policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and applying braces and prosthetic devices.
• Work with patients or residents on small-group activities according to their treatment plans.
• Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Participate actively in treatment-planning meetings.
• Use equipment to promote self-care.
• Verbally provide patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the Veteran’s plan of care.
• Enter information about the Veteran’s condition in the chart using appropriate formats.
• Help maintain a clean and safe patient environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, follow safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other nursing assistants and orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Manage and intervene in patient behavior, requesting assistance from other health care team members when needed.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action in emergent situations.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Federal employee benefits package available to eligible employees and their families.
• Selected applicants may request consideration for annual leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level