Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant provides clinical support to adult and geriatric Veterans in the Community Living Center under the direction of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses. The role requires respect for Veteran rights and awareness of abuse prevention and care practices for vulnerable, frail, debilitated, and geriatric Veterans. Duties and level of oversight vary by grade; GS-5 is the full-performance level, while developmental grades work with closer supervision.

The Nursing Assistant provides and documents resident care, supports activities of daily living and restorative plans, assists with treatments and procedures under nursing supervision, and contributes to resident safety, quality of care, recreation, and interdisciplinary care planning. The position includes assigned rotating shifts at the Seattle or Tacoma location, with rotating weekends off. Compressed or flexible schedules may be available; telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience, education, or training requirement through one of the listed routes: six months of general experience; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the NA occupation; or an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA training program of less than one year. The announcement also describes a grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• For GS-4, one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience, or two years of post-high-school education in a relevant field, along with the specified KSAs in patient care, observation and reporting, equipment use, and communication.
• For GS-5, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with relevant KSAs, or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or a bachelor's degree, along with the specified KSAs in nursing care, communication and precepting, and response to emergent situations.
• Complete any applicable education or certification/licensure requirements before hiring; applicants selected while requirements are pending may not be hired until they are met.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience working in a nursing home.

Responsibilities

• Provide care that protects Veterans from abuse and respects their rights and privacy.
• Assist Veterans with activities of daily living and promote independence; mentor other CNAs in these activities as appropriate.
• Follow restorative plans of care, including range-of-motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine restorative procedures.
• Under Registered Nurse supervision and when assigned, perform catheter care, oral-pharyngeal and tracheostomy suctioning, and care involving noncomplicated tracheostomies at least five days old.
• Use aseptic technique and change clean dressings.
• Maintain and monitor oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan.
• Apply binders, splints, supportive devices, braces, and other simple positioning devices; apply hot and cold packs; and prepare patients for tests, examinations, and treatments.
• Collect and correctly label laboratory specimens and ensure their timely transportation.
• Apply ointments, shampoos, and creams considered medications under the UAP Policy, and mentor fellow CNAs in medication administration per policy.
• Review and follow Veterans' or residents' treatment plans when providing care.
• Participate in CLC activities and quality-of-care actions, including fall intervention and pressure-sore prevention.
• Participate in nursing care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings; report problems, contribute to individualized care planning, and assist with discharge planning.
• Clean and maintain equipment independently or at the direction of an RN or LPN.
• Assist with patient admission, discharge, and transfer; orient new residents to their rooms and safety features; and check in and document resident valuables.
• Provide one-to-one observation as directed for assaultive or ill residents and follow facility policy related to the resident's condition or illness.
• Assist with labeling, preparing for transport, laundering, and distributing residents' personal clothing.
• Initiate CPR, the Heimlich maneuver for choking, and first aid in accordance with Medical Center policy.
• Escort Veterans safely and promptly to and from the CLC for appointments and recreational therapy.
• Implement leisure and diversional activities that promote meaningful use of time, independence, positive self-esteem, and relaxation.
• Accurately document treatments and care in the Veteran's or resident's medical record.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits; the subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to $416.66 per month.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) 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.
• A sign-on bonus may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

What This Job Offers

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