Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

This Nursing Assistant position will be in Nursing Operations, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP), Acute Physiocratic Unit (APU), Medical Unit (MED), (CLC), and FLOAT (Float Pool). Provides direct patient/resident care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or, Licensed Practical Nurse. Performs assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality healthcare, positive and outstanding customer service, and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

24/7/365 position requiring night, weekend, and holiday hours.

• Assists in the care and treatment of patients receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient treatment. Observes and reports changes in patient behavior, attitude, and appearance, such as patients' color, vital signs, wound/skin condition, and reaction to/results of treatment.
• Assists in the performance of diagnostic/assessment examinations by performing duties such as the taking/monitoring, recording, and reporting of vital signs, height, weight, patient concerns/symptoms, and less obvious changes in patients' condition.
• Provides care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior, including those who are severely depressed, agitated, and/or acting out and those patients with complex medical conditions. The care provided frequently involves setting up/working around various types of medical equipment and the use of medical supplies.
• Recognizes emergency situations and appropriately intervenes while awaiting assistance.
• Assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) as needed.

Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing patients' comfort and health status.

• Performs patient care and comfort measures addressing patients' biopsychosocial needs, personal hygiene, physical comfort, nutrition, hydration, skin care, rehabilitation, and safety.
• Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient situations including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition, or variances related to neurological and vital signs, actual and potential safety issues, and other parameters.

Explains to patients and family members the necessity of procedures for proper health care.

• Provides specific health information based on patient's condition, such as acceptance of limited physical mobility, proper body mechanics, and the importance of adhering to prescribed regimens for both medical and mental health conditions.

Required to complete quarterly BLS training prior to first day of new quarter.

• Enters specific information into the patient's electronic record using appropriate formats, medical terminology, and templates. This information must be entered in a complete, confidential, and professional manner to insure information on the patient is shared with other VA staff. This information is to be reviewed on a regular basis.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with employees, volunteers, consumers and stakeholders within the VA and outside community agencies. Attendance of all appropriate staff meetings (interdisciplinary treatment team meetings, other committees as appropriate, etc.) is necessary.
• Additional duties may be required to be performed, as needed.

Day versus night shifts and specific days off are not guaranteed. Shifts are based on the operational needs of the organization to best care for our Veterans.

Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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. 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. 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. Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Experience or Education or Training. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA OR One (1) 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 (1) year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.

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