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The Nursing Assistant working for the Durham Health Care System will provide care to Veterans in multiple clinical areas. This will include possible one on one observation to Veterans identified with mental health crisis, Suicidal Ideation, Homicidal Ideation, or at high risk for injury due to altered mental status. There are 4 Medicine and Surgical floors supporting 25 beds each for patients pre-and post-surgery, dialysis care, cancer care and other chronic acute medical admissions.
05/05/2025 to 05/13/2025
$37,925 - $61,912 per year
GS 3 - 5
7 vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
5
No
Yes
CBTA-12732567-25-DF
836424900
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.
Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.
DIRECT PATIENT CARE/SUPPORT DUTIES
With minimal supervision, participates in implementing the care plan by performing tasks delegated by and performed under the supervision, orders or directions of a licensed nurse.
a. Routinely assumes and completes assignments for a variety of patients with diverse nursing care needs; provides care in a timely manner, demonstrating initiative and independence.
b. Accurately performs a full range of nursing procedures utilizing appropriate and safe techniques.
c. Routinely delivers complete and comprehensive care to meet the needs of activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, etc.)
d. Uses the appropriate technique when providing care to patients/residents with Delirium, Dementia, or mental health related behavior (such as approach, distraction, re-direction, limit setting, etc.)
e. Performs procedures timely, accurately and thoroughly, such as obtaining vital signs, weights, blood sugar checks, dressing changes, bladder scan, tube feedings, suctioning, skin checks, delivery of meal trays, etc.
f. Maintains the patient bedside space in a neat, clean, safe, stocked and orderly manner. Uses supplies and equipment in an appropriate and cost-effective manner. Reports broken equipment to Charge Nurse.
g. Provides a thorough hand off report to oncoming staff to assure continuity of care Introduces oncoming staff to the patient Updates white board during bedside report with name, date/day and Cisco extension number.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
With minimal supervision, consistently interacts with others in a mature, professional and courteous manner to facilitate the work of the organization. Adjusts to change in a pleasant manner and functions as a team member, helping the group effort where possible.
a. Establishes effective relationships with patient, family and members of the health care team. Displays respect, empathy, and compassion with the patient and works in partnership with family in providing care.
b. Uses therapeutic interaction with patients. Uses re-direction, distraction, allowing time, and using Dementia skills so that respectful and complete care can be provided to all assigned patients.
c. Keeps patients as the priority as evidenced by responding to call lights promptly and using the" no passing zone". No passing zone is defined as not passing any activated call bed without stopping to inquire of need and rendering assistance.
d. Carries and answers Cisco phone, maintaining availability to patients and coworkers.
SAFETY/EMERGENCY INTERVENTIONS
With indirect supervision maintains a safe and clean environment. Routinely adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations and work practices. Uses proper protective equipment as required.
a. Adheres to safety standards, regulations and practice for turning/ repositioning and lifting patients with use of available lifting equipment and slings and the use of 2 staff members when lifting equipment is required.
b. Reports critical values immediately to the primary nurse.
c. Adheres to infection control guidelines for isolation procedures, use of PPE and handwashing.
d. Following recognition of an emergent situation, takes appropriate action in a calm, efficient manner (Man Down, Missing Patient, CPR, Stroke Code, Heimlich Maneuver, Fire Drill, Tornado Drill, and use of Evacusled).
e. Adheres to procedures for disinfecting reusable medical equipment (RME) after each use.
OBSERVATION SKILLS
With minimal supervision routinely gathers information to assist in assessing the patient's physical and mental health including the patient's reaction to illness and treatment regimen.
a. Gathers information to assist in the admission/transfer of assessment of patient. Enters vital signs, height, weight prior to the nursing portion of the assessment.
b. Routinely observes and communicates subtle and emergent signs and symptoms reflecting the patient/resident's condition.
c. Consistently recognizes and communicates the learning needs and discharge needs of the patient.
d. Regularly observes potential behavioral and/or physical characteristics that may endanger the patient/resident and/or others.
e. Obtains vital signs and blood sugars consistent with the scheduled time. Accurately reports/records values; reports critical values to the assigned nurse or Charge Nurse.
DOCUMENTATION
With minimal supervision, routinely reports and records the results of nursing observations, the nursing care provided and the patient's response to that care.
a. Verbal/written communications routinely contribute to planning, coordinating, implementing and evaluating nursing care rendered.
b. Written documentation is descriptive of patient's behavior, condition and responses
c. Verbal reports are timely, precise and pertinent
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/13/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12732567.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/836424900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.