Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Janesville (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Wisconsin seeks a Nursing Assistant to provide direct patient care under the supervision of the RN, LPN, or Providers within the Primary Care Clinics. The NA assists with intake, interviews patients, and documents data using VA systems.

The role includes vital signs, specimen collection, assistance with transfers, and ensuring patient safety and comfort. Applicants must meet VA basic requirements and KSAs for GS-3 to GS-5 levels, including strong communication.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: US citizen
• Non-citizens may be appointed when VA policy allows
• Six months of general experience or one year of education above high school with nursing-related courses
• Or completion of an occupation-related training program as a NA
• English language proficiency: spoken and written
• KSAs demonstrating ability to provide patient care and communicate with the healthcare team
• GS-5: one year of progressively responsible experience or a 4-year degree with health-related coursework

Responsibilities

• Performs direct patient care under supervision of RN, LPN, or Providers in Primary Care Clinics
• Checks patients into clinic appointments via face-to-face, telephonic, or VA Video Connect
• Perform phlebotomy and other specimen collection following policies
• Complete processes to accession, manifest, and prepare specimens for transport
• Obtain and document vital signs and patient data in medical records
• Assist with transfers, ambulation, and activities of daily living
• Respond to emergencies and assist during treatments, including CPR when needed
• Maintain patient privacy and dignity and contribute to a safe clinical environment
• Use VistA/CPRS and other VA systems to access and communicate patient information
• Collaborate with the nursing team to contribute to care plans and follow-up
• Adhere to all policies on fire, disaster, security, and universal precautions

Job description

Summary

The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient care activities under the supervision of the RN - LPN - Providers within the Primary Care Clinics. Checks patients into the clinic appointment utilizing face-to-face - telephonic - or VA Video Connect 0JVC) technologies to interview patient and/or significant other - and documents intake data as per policy.

Qualifications

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: Citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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 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 English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• 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 listed above - you must meet the grade requirements at one of the following grade levels to qualify for this position
• GS-3 Experience and Education:None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 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 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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 resident's 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-5 Experience: One (1) 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
• 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 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
• 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-03to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: Work requires the incumbent to be mobile throughout the annex and CBOCs as needed - involving sitting - standing - walking - bending - pushing - and lifting (moderate-heavy).

Duties

• Duties of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to: Performs phlebotomy and all other specimen collection following the established policies
• Completes established processes and procedures to accession - manifest - and prepare for specimen transport to the main facility laboratory
• Provide and complete plan of care orders within scope of practice and demonstrated competency
• Maintains the physical privacy and dignity of each patient while performing specimen collection and other nursing tasks
• Obtains weights - height - blood pressure - pulse - respiration - blood glucose (finger stick) - level of pain and records them appropriately in the medical record
• Can distinguish significant variances in vital signs - pain - and finger sticks and reports them to the responsible RN - LPN - or Provider
• Assists with glucometer download and data uploading into the electronic medical record
• Provide patients with the appropriate level of assistance with activities of transferring - ambulating - and toileting
• Responds to and assists during emergency treatment situations obtaining equipment as necessary and running errands as needed
• Assists in emergency situations including but not limited to CPR as needed
• Understands and demonstrates behavior that reflects that each patient is an individual with needs that vary - particularly according to his/her age
• Understands the appropriate body mechanics to safely move patients using a variety of lifts/transfer devices
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards
• Initiates emergency measures to protect patients
• Maintains patient rooms and unit areas in a clean and orderly fashion
• Participates in problem-solving activities to maintain a safe environment
• Assists in provision of a safe environment for patients with memory deficits - orientation problems and acting-out behavior
• Utilizes the main facility laboratory department and personnel as a resource and to communicate any patient care related needs or delays - as necessary
• Uses various programs to access information in the Medical Center Computer System to include - but not limited to - the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to support patient care needs and job duties
• Consistently reports to the team leader/licensed staff observations of the patient's physical condition and behavior
• Provides timely follow up with CPRS alerts - MyHealtheVet messages and phone message manager within scope of practice as assigned
• Participates with the nursing team to provide input in the formulation and implementation of the care plan
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing - scanning - and retrieving electronic documents and files
• activating printers
• and transmitting and receiving e-mail
• Follows established Medical Center policies and procedures - rules and regulations - related to fire - disaster - security measures - computer security - and universal fluid precautions
• Completes all required education requirements in a timely manner
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday - Day Shift Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD08468F - PD08469F - and PD08470F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized