Nursing Assistant (Reusable Medical Equipment)

Description:

The Reusable Medical Equipment Nursing Assistant provides proper cleaning, disinfection, of all Non-Clinical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) ensuring compliance with the standards for infection prevention and control, patient safety and application and usage of products according to manufacturer recommendations.

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.
  • 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.

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 Entry Level - Experience and Education . None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 Developmental Level - In addition to the basic requirements, have 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, have successfully completed 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, healthcare 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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) ;

- AND -

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 - In addition to the basic requirements, have one year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, can demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR,I have successfully completed 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 (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) ;

- AND -

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

Preferred Experience:

• Ability to transport heavy medical equipment throughout the facility.
• Experience cleaning reusable medical equipment.
• Medical terminology preferred.
• Minimum of 6 months experience in direct patient care; feeding, bathing, walking, transfers, patient safety.
• VA work experience preferred

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; heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over; Pulling hand over hand (8-12 hours); Pushing (8 hours); Walking, Standing, Kneeling (8-12 hours); Both legs required; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.