Nursing Assistant (Acute Care)

SummaryThis announcement is to fill positions for Nursing Assistant, with the North Florida/South Georgia VA Healthcare System is located in the Acute Care Service of the Malcom Randal VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. The Nursing Assistant is directly responsible to the professional nurse for providing technical specialized or support to health and medical personnel in the management, diagnosis or treatment of cardiac conditions.ResponsibilitiesThe Nursing Assistant, performs personal care, diagnostic support duties and treatments according to procedure under the direction of the professional nurse. Responsibility's include patient's nursing needs, including physical comfort, and emotional needs and recognizing deviations from the normal. Participates and reinforces resources and referrals. Serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team, interacting with patients, families, professionals and supportive personnel. Organizes patient care assignments to meet the needs of the patients. Participates in planning nursing care, recognizing changing needs and prioritizing assignments. Identifies changes in patient condition, both physical and emotional, but not limited to, the following: Participates in Health Care Team meetings. Reinforces patient & family teaching including teaching patient & families with complex learning needs. Completes required patient care documentation and records significant observations and actions. Maintains a safe, clean, therapeutic environment and adheres to infection control guidelines. Participates in accomplishing unit maintenance tasks which includes checking equipment to ensure that it is functioning safely. Practices aseptic techniques during sterile procedures. Treats customers in a courteous and helpful manner. Communicates, both oral and written, are done in a professional. Interacts with visitors/staff in a courteous, thoughtful, and caring manner using tact, discretion and patience when explaining policies. Displays a helpful, proactive attitude toward customers by answering questions and resolving problems. Accepts assignments willingly, volunteers to help others, and works cooperatively and effectively with co-workers and supervisors. Consistently practices customer service performance expectations as established. Ensures confidential information is at all times safeguarded. Work Schedule:Monday - Friday 12 hour tours, 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. day shift, Monday - Friday 12 hour tours, 7:30 p.m.- 8:00 a.m. night shift(NOTE: Holidays and every other weekend required.)Financial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants 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. Education or Training: One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants 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). Preferred Experience:GS 5 Nursing Assistant :is defined as 3 years working in as a Nursing Assisting with experience in Acute Care performing higher level duties, such collaborating with assigned RN on EKG interpretation, assisting RN with dressing changes, and complex patient care positioning at least 3 times a week. Perform mentoring and orientation experience for co-workers. Grade Determinations: 1) Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.(2) Quality of Experience.To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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;OREducation: 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;ANDDemonstrated 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. Assignment: GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 listed below;OREducation: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46. March 12, 2015.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for is GS-05. Physical Requirements: The incumbent of the position performs direct patient care and must meet the physical requirements to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Lift 45 lbs. or over, Carry 45 lbs. or over, Straight pulling, Pushing, Reaching above shoulders, use of fingers and both hands, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Near vision (correctable), Far vision (correctable), Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors.EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationThis job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.