Nursing Assistant - (PACU)

Description:

General Description: The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, subacute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

The Organizational Location of the Position is: This position is location in Nursing Service, Patient Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) within VANTHCS.

Requirements:

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.
• 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.
• Experience or Education or Training :

1. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR
2. One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR,
3. 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.

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 :

GS-03 Nursing Assistant Entry Level:

Experience and Education . None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 Nursing Assistant Developmental Level:

Experience . One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 two 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. (transcripts required ) AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1 . Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
2 . Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3. 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.
4 . Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-05 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; 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. (transcripts required) AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
1 . 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.
2 . Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
3 . 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Nursing Assistant - PACU
• Transport/escorting patients experience
• Direct Patient Care experience
• Minimum 2 years Nursing Assistant experience
• EKG set up and D-stick experience

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-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, light lifting under 15 pounds, moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), light carrying, under 15 pounds, pulling hand over hand 8-12 hours, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing and kneeling for 8-12 hours, both legs required, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye, both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing aid permitted, may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated equipment, may be expected to don protective equipment, may be exposed to combative patients, must complete annual employee health requirements.