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Nursing Assistant - Geriatric and Extended Care

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Geriatrics and Extended Care.


Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
01/06/2022 to 01/20/2022
Salary
$28,078 to - $45,847 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 3 - 5
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Coatesville, PA
1 vacancy
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
5
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSZ-11347021-22-JA
Control number
630017300

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Duties

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  • Provides direct patient care to complex Veterans as assigned including all aspects of
    • persnal care and grooming.
  • Assists the RN, LPN, and other members of the interdisciplinary team with providing input in the development of the care plan, based on the Veteran's care needs.
  • Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures, which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition.
  • Makes observations of changes in patient's condition, i.e., escalating behaviors, mood, skin integrity, vital signs, appetite, skin coloration, bowel and bladder control, hydration, etc. and reports to charge nurse.
  • Performs procedures and complex medical nursing care treatments under the direction and supervision of the RN according to policies and standard procedures to care for the Veteran for such procedures but not limited to: All GS-3 and GS-4 level skills, skin care including massage and dressings, application of braces, splints and prosthetic devices, insertion of indwelling catheters, bladder scanning, 12 lead EKGs, Sterile tracheostomy suctioning, and additional duties as assigned.
  • Promotes Veteran participation in the therapeutic community by fostering self-reliance and independence.
  • Participates in maintaining a clean and safe environment
  • Removes defective equipment and reports safety hazards immediately
  • Utilizes lift equipment appropriately and safely to promote patient transfers, uses proper body mechanics.
  • Promotes the values of cultural transformation, Pathways to Excellence, and Patient centered care to nursing staff in CLC. Actively seeks Veteran preferences in care plan participation and goal development.
  • Offers suggestions to improve the Veteran's Activities of Daily Living (ADL) functions and quality of life. This would include suggestions for restorative or rehabilitative care.
  • Supports and enhances Veteran self-determination; treats the Veteran with dignity and respect.
  • Consistently follows policies, SOPS, and procedures applicable to reusable medical equipment (RME) and infection control.
  • Reports required information for hand-off communication to charge nurse and co-workers, including to other members of the interdisciplinary team and other applicable staff and departments, and completes the necessary documentation for these duties.
  • Under the direction of the RN, the NA educates Veterans on their care needs as appropriate to NA skill level.
  • Communicates professionally and courteously with families and significant others, as appropriate.
  • Completes all assigned routine documentation in CPRS, Care Tracker, and other areas as required.
  • Monitors Veterans for risk behaviors including, but not limited to, elopement, wandering, suicide, fall, behavior, and skin conditions; taking action, when indicated, to include: communicating to appropriate personnel when further intervention is needed and completing necessary documentation.
  • Exercises skill in influencing and communicating with unusually difficult to care for Veterans and communicates appropriately with family members. This includes the ability to effectively deal with the unit Veterans with various medical, cognitive, and psychiatric conditions.
  • Responds during emergencies, assists during fire drills, and responds to any safety issues as they arise. Demonstrates self-direction in applying knowledge of fire, safety, and disaster regulations' practices and procedures, and communicates expectations to staff.
  • Communicates supply needs to appropriate staff, when indicated.
  • Uses proper body mechanics and safe lifting equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE) that promote a safe workplace. Encourages other staff compliance with safety policies.
  • Attends interdisciplinary team meetings and contributes to the interdisciplinary team in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Veteran's treatment plan.
  • Participates on committees/ task forces, research projects, or in developing educational materials/media when requested. Participates in quality improvement activities.
  • Under the direction of the RN, the NA assists with discharge planning needs of Veterans, as well as the transfer of Veterans to more appropriate levels of care.
  • Maintains required health screening annually.


Work Schedule: 3:30pm - Midnight rotating weekends and holidays
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant - Geriatric and Extended Care/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • Education: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
  • English Proficiency. Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
Preferred Experience: At least one year nursing assistant experience.

Grade Determinations:

GS-3
  • Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4
  • Experience: One year of specialized experience as a [NA] or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.), performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR
  • Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
  2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
  3. Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
  4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
GS-5
  • Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR,
  • Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree; AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
  1. Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
  2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new [NAs] by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
  3. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 03 to 05.

Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to perform work that requires regular and recurrent walking standing, bending, lifting 35 lbs. or more, stooping, reaching, stretching, pushing/pulling and similar activities supporting various weights.
  • Must be able to care for Veterans with various medical and psychiatric illnesses; sometimes these Veterans exhibit unpredictable behavior
  • Must be able to work closely with others
  • Must be able to care for Veterans who have potential to be physically or verbally assaultive.
  • Must have sufficient hearing to be able to respond to various alarms.

The employee may be scheduled to work varying hours of duty and may, on occasion, be assigned to other Veteran care areas or be assigned for overtime work, in order to meet workload demands.

Additional information

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.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required exception from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

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.

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.

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