Nursing Assistant - Acute Care- Inpatient Medicine

Full Job Description

The Long Beach VA Healthcare System Actue Care Inpatient Medicine department is looking to fill multiple Nursing Assistant (NA) vacancies.

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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education or Training. The candidate must have 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 Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, one of the following criteria must be met and documented on your resume.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-5: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants.

Nursing Assistants 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.

Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

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).

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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.

Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel.

This includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.

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. Grandfathering Provisions.

All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12, 2015 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: 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.

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 reentry to the occupation.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard.

Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and at times carrying heavy loads.

Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Provides direct care for complex veterans. Obtains vital signs and reports any abnormal vital signs to appropriate staff in a timely manner.

Makes observations of subtle changes in patient's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role.

Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal.

Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately.

Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such Foley Care, Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injury (HAPI) prevention, and AvaSure tele sitter.

Recognizes the patient's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as lift equipment.

Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident; Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.

Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Various Shifts; Work schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the organization.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized