Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is seeking Nursing Assistants for the Medical-Surgical Wards and Nursing and Patient Care Services.

These individuals will serve as members of the nursing team and will work rotating day, evening, and/or night tours.

Nursing Assistants provide direct patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. The Medical-Surgical Wards consist of medical, surgical, telemetry, and oncology patients.

Basic Requirements: a. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

b. [Experience or] Education or Training. (1) [Six months of general experience.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

c. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. d. 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. e. Grandfathering Provisions.

All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(2) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

3. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. (1) Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.

(2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.

(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek.

For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. b. Grade Determinations.

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. (1) GS-3 NA (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education.

None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. (2) GS-4 NA (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.

ii Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.

iii 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.

iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. (3) GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level). (a) 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, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated KSAs.

i 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.

ii 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.

iii 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. (d) Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs.

NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness.

The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements.

NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3, 4 and 5.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. Major Duties:

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH.

The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Safely provides treatments in accordance with policy.

Provides personal nursing care, diagnostic support duties and treatments with assistance.

Under the direction of the RN and /or LPN maintains the gravity drainage system once the ballooned Foley catheter has been inserted by the RN or LPN and observes for patency, reporting catheter blockage or poor urinary output and ensuring that the catheter is secured to prevent tenson.

Has knowledge about the patients' plan of care and follows them. Understands call light system, using Vocera, phones, and call lights.

Receives and utilizes the Nursing Assistant Patient Care Assignment.

Uses written documentation worksheets to record observations & findings, chart appropriate Uses written documentation worksheets to record observations & findings, chart appropriate values into Electronic Health Record, as well as to Report to the RN.

Starts assignments promptly and works steadily in an organized manner.

Performs or assists the patient to complete these Activities of Daily Living: Bathing, shaving, daily oral hygiene, and denture care, feeding, skin care - including care of hands and feet, toileting, assisting with dressing, positioning, and transferring.

Makes rounds at the beginning and end of shift. (as well as during shift and as needed or prn).

Completes bedside report at the beginning & end of every shift Obtain vital signs: Temperature, Pulse, Respiration, Blood pressure and Pain level Documents and observes care in Electronic Health Record Verbally reports observations and findings to the registered nurse.

Incontinent (bowel and/or bladder) patients are checked for cleanliness every two hours or more frequently as needed. Provides urinary catheter care. Measures and records intake and output of patients.

Applies heat and cold treatments as assigned by the RN. Applies and removes simple non-sterile dressings. Performs Heimlich maneuver when needed, and initiates CPR per protocol.

Carries out assignments independently to assure that patients arrive at designated appointments, i.e. x-ray, MRI, surgery, etc.

Practices appropriate hand hygiene by washing hands between patients and before and after any nursing care activities.

Follows infection control policies, blood borne pathogen standards of care, and utilized universal precautions while providing care.

Recognize limitations and seek guidance when unexpected situations arise. Work Schedule: Full-time, Rotating shifts, day, evening and/or night tour, as discussed with Supervisor.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: 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.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91279-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized