Nursing Assistant (Community Center 2)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Charles George VAMC seeks a Nursing Assistant for the Community Living Center (CLC-2) short term rehab.

You will provide direct care to patients, families, and staff under supervision of a Registered Nurse to ensure adherence to standards of care. Responsibilities include assisting in rehabilitation goals, observing patient status, using medical equipment, and communicating with the care team.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or equivalent education/training.
• Ability to acquire knowledge and skills for NA work.
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care in rehabilitation setting under RN supervision.
• Assist patients with activities to support recovery and rehabilitation.
• Observe and report changes to supervising staff and document appropriately.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients.

Skills

Nursing care

Vital signs

Patient safety

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Vital signs equipment

Job description

Summary

The Charles George VAMC is looking to fill a Nursing Assistant position within Community Living Center (CLC-2 - short term rehab). The Nursing Assistant provides direct care to patients - families - and staff on a regular basis in a rehabilitation care setting. The Nursing Assistant practices under the supervision of a Registered Nurse - who is accountable for assuring adherence to standards of care.

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: 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: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• 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 for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-03 (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 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-05 (Full Performance Level) 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 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
• 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)
• Preferred Experience: Ability to work in a veteran centered - rehabilitation-focused environment Certification as a Nursing Assistant Short Term Rehab Experience Long Term Care experience Dementia Care experience Basic Cardiac Life (BLS) certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 5
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The primary duties of the Nursing Assistant may vary by assignment
• Duties may include - but are not limited to the following: Support rehabilitation goals by providing safe - compassionate - and consistent care
• Assisting in the care of patients by supporting patient activities
• Report changes in patient's condition to the registered nurse - as well as the patient's acceptance and response to nursing care
• Operating equipment (Vital sign machines - EKGs - Bladder Scans - etc.)
• Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients and families
• Perform procedures such as venipuncture - finger sticks - and wound dressings
• Monitor and chart patient status incompliance with applicable laws and local policies and properly report any abnormal findings to designated Nurse or Medical staff
• Submits work orders for broken equipment and properly stores and cleans equipment
• Contributes to a safe - clean - and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by cleaning equipment - furniture - appliances - and patient care areas
• Communicate with patient and family members about care - and ensure all communications comply with HIPAA and applicable laws and regulations
• Collecting and transporting patient specimens for the laboratory
• Completes hazardous items checks of unit - patients - and their belongings
• Understands and uses proper medical terminology
• Transporting patients to other areas of the hospital and returns to proper unit bed
• Leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all patients are treated with respect and civility
• Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 8 & 12 hour day tours with weekend and holiday requirements
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized