Nursing Assistant-Perioperative

Full Job Description

The incumbent performs a range of patient care procedures under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

The Nursing Assistant-Perioperative position is located at Audie L. Murphy VAMC within Nursing, Perioperative Service.

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.

Grandfathering Provision: 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).

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 to 3 Years in an inpatient clinical setting 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: Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients being served, and which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation of the patient.

Assesses data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures.

Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various veteran populations with this institution.

The incumbent must demonstrate the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possess the ability to provide care/support based upon age-related factors.

Ensures staff receives training in these categories.

Sensitivity to the special needs of all patients in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Completes all care assignments in a safe and timely manner.

Actively participates in unit level quality improvement activities and attends huddles, team meetings, and assigned committees.

Completes applicable documentation per policy to include but not limited to: Intake/Output, daily weights, Vital Signs, pain score, hourly rounding, blood glucose testing with accurate comment for notification.

Uses the appropriate equipment to include but not limited to EKGs, SCDs, bladder scanner, lift equipment, glucometer to include maintenance of quality controls as applicable.

When using the glucometer, it notifies the appropriate healthcare staff of glucose result deviations. Adheres to all reusable medical equipment (RME) standard operation procedures.

Participates in the equipment inventory process. Implements the appropriate interventions to prevent/reduce hospital acquired pressure ulcers and patient falls under the direction of the RN/LPN.

Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies, standard procedures and competencies.

May assist with surgical skin preparation to include hair clipping and holding limbs. Performs turnover of exam/procedure room, cleaning and sanitizing patient exam/procedure room as needed.

Prepares exam/procedure room, assisting Providers and Nursing staff with room set-up for procedures according to training and competencies.

Assists Providers and Nurses in the care and treatment of Veterans. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the Veteran.

Maintains BLS certification and demonstrates proper procedure in initiating CPR. Transports patients safely and professionally as assigned and uses hand-off communication tool as appropriate.

Transports medication, supplies, equipment, blood and specimens and any other transport needs as directed.

Monitors patients according to levels of observation i.e., 1:1 veteran as well as veterans in a close observation status in accordance with facility policies.

Performs other tasks requested by the RN/LVN or primary care provider.

Aids all levels of clinical and non-clinical staff when warranted and within level of competence and scope of practice as indicated within the unit specific competencies.

Recognizes and reports signs of physical and emotional abuse of patient, family and significant others.

Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.

Follows policy (VHA, Facility, Unit level). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30a.m. to 4:00p.m.

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.

Functional Statement #: 54583-F/54584-F/54585-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized