Skilled Nursing Assistant & Preceptor

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) at Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs supports nursing staff in a wide range of patient care activities for preventive, acute, chronic, hospice and maintenance needs. The NA role includes education, mentorship, and closely supervised entry-level duties within the nursing team.

Responsibilities cover vital signs, daily living activities, observations, and early interventions.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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
• Six months of general experience
• One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• 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
• 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)
• 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: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nursing assistants such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• Examples may include but are not limited to:- Significant amounts of time standing assisting assigned patients- Utilization of safe patient handling and mobility protocols

Responsibilities

• Accurately identifies and reports physical signs - symptoms - and changes noted in patients to RN/supervisor in charge
• Also reports patients' complaints which are outside of the NA scope of practice to address
• Initiates emergency procedures for which the employee is trained and reports actual and potential safety hazards within the workplace
• Monitors Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition - i.e - behavior shifts - mood - skin coloring - appetite - etc - and acts/responds accordingly within the NA's assigned role and by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• Obtains patient's vital signs - recognizes obvious discrepancies and report discrepancies to RN/supervisor in charge
• Applies knowledge and skill in facilitating the completion of activities of daily living for those patients to whom they are assigned
• Identifies the need for and actively participates and contributes information and suggestions to patient-centered conferences and/or Treatment Planning Meetings
• Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veteran
• Learning to be proficient with the utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery - encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training
• Promotes positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others - and staff utilizing learned communication skills
• Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for: Personal Hygiene, Physical Comfort, Activity - Exercise - Rest, Nutrition, Elimination, Prevention of Skin Breakdown, Rehabilitative Aspects of Care, Mental Well-Being (Whole Health)
• Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Maintains and set up patient care related equipment
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Monitors patients according to levels of observations i.e (one to one suicide - continuous observation - q 15-minute checks - and hourly rounding)
• Demonstrates proper safety practices
• Follow all safety procedures and wears PPE
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others
• Promotes and demonstrates principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients and utilizes technical skills appropriately adjusting techniques for patients
• Facilitates in the transfer and transport of patients
• Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as a healthcare provider/ nursing assistant experience (acute care &/or long term care) Nursing Assistant (CNA/LNA) &/or Medical Assistant training/certification
• Familiarity with supporting nursing workflows
• Commitment to shared decision-making
• Active participation in creating a positive - team-based practice environment (Pathway to Excellence Journey)
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - 0630-1500
• Tour subject to change depending on the needs of facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be available if eligible Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Job description

The Nursing Assistant (NA) at Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs supports nursing staff in a wide range of patient care activities for preventive, acute, chronic, hospice and maintenance needs. The NA role includes education, mentorship, and closely supervised entry-level duties within the nursing team.

Responsibilities cover vital signs, daily living activities, observations, and early interventions.