Nursing Assistant; Med​/Surgery

Overview

The Nursing Assistant working for the Durham Health Care System will provide care to Veterans in multiple clinical areas. This will include possible one on one observation to Veterans identified with mental health crisis - Suicidal Ideation - Homicidal Ideation - or at high risk for injury due to altered mental status. There are 4 Medicine and Surgical floors supporting 25 beds each for patients pre- and post-surgery - dialysis care - cancer care and other chronic acute medical admissions.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.)
• 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
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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

Grade Requirements:

• Creditable
  
  Experience:
  
  Knowledge of Current Practice; the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice
• Quality of
  
  Experience:
  
  Nursing Assistant experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means
• Part-Time
  
  Experience:
  
  Part-time experience as a Nursing Assistant is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek

Grade Determinations:

• GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) — None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant (Intermediate) — One year of specialized experience or education as described, plus demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) — One year of progressively responsible assignments at GS-4 level or education with demonstrated KSAs

• Direct Patient Care/Support: With minimal supervision, participates in implementing the care plan by performing tasks delegated by and performed under the supervision, orders or directions of a licensed nurse
• Routinely assumes and completes assignments for a variety of patients with diverse nursing care needs
• Provides care in a timely manner, demonstrating initiative and independence
• Accurately performs a full range of nursing procedures utilizing appropriate and safe techniques
• Routinely delivers complete and comprehensive care to meet activities of daily living (eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, etc.)
• Uses appropriate technique when providing care to patients/residents with Delirium, Dementia, or mental health related behavior
• Performs procedures timely, accurately and thoroughly (vital signs, weights, blood sugar checks, dressing changes, bladder scan, tube feedings, suctioning, skin checks, delivery of meal trays, etc.)
• Maintains the patient bedside space in a neat, clean, safe, stocked and orderly manner
• Uses supplies and equipment in an appropriate and cost-effective manner
• Reports broken equipment to Charge Nurse
• Provides a thorough hand off report to oncoming staff to assure continuity of care; introduces oncoming staff to the patient; updates white board during bedside report with name, date/day and Cisco extension number
• Customer Service: With minimal supervision, consistently interacts in a mature, professional and courteous manner; establishes effective relationships with patient, family and healthcare team
• Safety/Emergency Interventions: Maintains a safe and clean environment; adheres to safety standards, uses PPE; follows procedures for turning/repositioning, lifting with available equipment and assistance
• Reports critical values immediately to the primary nurse
• Adheres to infection control guidelines for isolation procedures
• Following recognition of an emergent situation, takes appropriate action in a calm, efficient manner
• Adheres to procedures for disinfecting…