Nursing Assistant - ASU/PACU

Full Job Description

This position is located in Lebanon, PA.

The incumbent practices as a Nursing Assistant (NA) in the Ambulatory Surgical Unit (ASU)/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) areas Nursing Section of Patient Care Service (PCS), within the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

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. English Language Proficiency.

In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Experience, Education or Training.

You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) months of general experience.

Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade.

The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade. GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements.

NAs at this grade NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two (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, in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.

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

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.

Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment.

Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

OR, EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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, in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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 NAs 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. Preferred experience: 2 years of nursing assistant experience preferred.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.

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

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily physically active and requires extensive and prolonged standing, walking, bending, lifting, sitting, and carrying of items, and also involves pushing and pulling of wheelchairs/stretchers/mobile equipment.

The work requires above average agility and dexterity. The work may require heavy lifting of equipment, supplies, and/or patients in conjunction with patient lifting resources as available.

The work requires the ability to multitask while performing administrative, clerical, and clinical duties. Major Duties:

The primary purpose of the position is to assist and serve medical providers and nursing staff in collecting and performing a variety of tasks related to diagnostics and procedures within their scope of practice, as well as the completion of clerical and administrative duties.

The candidate uses therapeutic communication with patients while showing concern for the safety, whereabouts, and welfare of all patients on the unit.

Core elements of performance include developing knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives and customer service programs.

Assigned tasks require basic technical competence and skill.

Major duties of this position include, but are not limited to: Receives orders or instructions for interventions/procedures and/or set up for interventions/procedures.

Interprets requests or instructions and completes administrative processes, required for action, in collaboration with medical and nursing personnel.

Receives and completes assignments for a variety of complex tasks. Assist medical/nursing staff with or performs diagnostic procedures used to assist in diagnosis of medical conditions.

Performs procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences.

Assists in the performance of invasive procedures within scope.

Uses a practical knowledge of the location and function of major body organs and structures to position the patient and/or connect monitoring equipment to take optimum advantage of equipment capabilities.

Makes continuing adjustments to equipment and positions as results are interpreted. Sets up all necessary accessories or supplies.

Ensures proper equipment cleaning and performs minor maintenance and adjustments.

Provides assistance of technical, specialized, or supportive nature to healthcare personnel in the diagnosis or treatment of patient illnesses, injuries, or health conditions.

Support healthcare personnel in tests and procedures to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Operates, cleans, and maintains instruments and equipment for diagnostic and treatment procedures.

Performs a range of clinical support duties, such as, but not limited to, taking, recording, and reporting to medical or nursing professional any deviations in vital signs, specimen collections, and labeling of specimens.

Arranges and passes appropriate medical instruments and material to professional healthcare staff for a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures including Performing 12 lead EKGs, 12 lead rhythm strip, bladder scanning, manual blood pressures, etc.

Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding the patients' condition and reports these appropriately and within scope of practice Provides patient care and sets up and completes interventions that require auxiliary equipment Performs full range of procedures within scope of practice Monitors patients for adverse reactions and takes corrective action based on established policy Documents in patient computerized chart, directs patient care duties and patient safety Assists during procedures by monitoring patient's condition and recording reactions Recognizes deviations in patient's condition and takes appropriate action Reinforces teaching or provides instruction within scope and involving interventions teaching of patients and family members the necessity of continuing proper health care Reinforces counseling on health subjects including nutrition, care of minor injuries and illnesses, and home care of diseases Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm 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.

Functional Statement #: PD000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized