Nursing Assistant(Escorts)- OCA

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.

Applicant Expiration: Applicants will remain active for 3 months after their initial application is received and/or updated. After that time, you must update your application..\

Qualifications:

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 or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] 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 Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
• Basic Life Support (BLS)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-3 (Entry Level) 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

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 (Full Performance Level)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. 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 11, Chapter 3, Section C, Professional Standards Boards. VHA in the GS-621 series Appendix g46.Certfied Assistant Qualification Standards

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to Gs-5.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to wear protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019

Responsibilities:

The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients who are acute, sub-acute maintenance, and hospice care. The NA will typically have patient assignments which involve more complex nursing needs, and these needs can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

The duties of the Nursing Assistant (Escort) include, but are not limited to:

• The NA Escort is responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, and residents in the outpatient and inpatient care units.Delivers patient care and services under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Advance Practice Nurse or MD/DO.
• Practices within the scope and certification of a NA Escort in the nursing unit, clinic, area of assignment and demonstrates consistent practice when temporarily assigned to related nursing units and clinics.
• Transports patients who do not require a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to transport because of their acuity category.
• Assists RN, Physician or other qualified medical personnel in the transport of acute patients.
• Assists Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing/medical staff with patient transport but will not transport this category of patient without the above staff.
• Provides assistance to psychiatric nursing or medical staff with patient transport. With specialized training, escort NAs may transport low acuity psychiatric patients without assistance, always remaining 1 :1 with patient at all times.
• Provides care and services to multiple populations served and admitted to the nursing
• unit, clinic, area of assignment as determined by the patients/resident need for nursing
• care and services.
• Provides direct patient/resident care in the provision of the psychological, physical, social and cultural activities of daily living, complete and supportive.
• Provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs.
• Provides reporting, communication and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.
• Maintains patient/resident safety standards assuring patient /resident privacy, patient/resident physical safety, and patient/resident psychological safety.
• Establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level
• members of the work team promoting the physical, psychological and emotional safety of the working environment for a!I team members.
• Provides assistance and support to the Registered Nurse and/or provider within the scope of the NA certification/grade and consistent with Medical Center policy.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services
• consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for
• patients, residents, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes, responds and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and/or respiratory failure.
• The Escort NA will complete required Phlebotomy training/competencies (CBOC/HCC), which include drawing, processing/labeling specimens/packaging for transport.

Work Schedule: Full time
Tour of Duty: 3:30 pm - 12:00 am
Functional Statement #: 00000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Salary : $34,398 - $56,165