Summary
This Nursing Assistant position is organizationally aligned under Surgical Services/Patient Care Services. S/he works at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky (UK) Medical Center at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Lexington, Ky. Incumbent will normally work at one of the locations for the two divisions (Bowling Division/Sousley Division) but is required to work at the other location as necessary.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
The first Area of Consideration is given to current permanent employees of the agency for which the position is being advertised; 2nd Area of Consideration all other candidates.
Duties
The incumbent in this position is aligned under Surgical Services or Patient Care Services in the Lexington VA Health Care System and works a rotating tour of duty. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. The incumbent bathes, shaves, provides oral hygiene, shampoos hair, provides nail care, and active range of motion activity. Provides other personal needs, such as properly disposing of body wastes. Prepares for patients meals. Feeds selected patients and/or assists other patients as necessary. Notes changes in patient's nutritional needs, and reports to Registered Nurse. Changes bed lines as needed. Positions, holds, turns, ambulates, and transfers patients as indicated. Identifies the need for and appropriately applies supportive and protective devices for the protection of the patient and personnel. Utilizes lift aids with appropriate body mechanics. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by maintaining assigned area in an orderly and sanitary condition. Maintains the cleanliness of all items in the patient area. Utilizes correct Standard Precautions for all contact with the Veteran and bodily substances. Bodily substances include, urine, blood, saliva, feces, vomitus, wound drainage, or any other bodily fluid excreted by the Veteran. Instructs patients and visitors about the use of protective procedures if indicated. Sets up patient rooms for other isolation/transmission precautions as indicated. Transports patients who may require close observation and support. Accompanies selected patients when necessary. Assures safety during transportation process; assures proper hand-off and accountability for return of patients. Collects and correctly labels specimens of sputum, urine, (routine and sterile), feces, and assists with the collection of other sterile specimens, as directed by the team leader for storage and/or delivery to the laboratory. Measures and records vital signs, height and weight, intake and output. Reports changes in the patient's condition to the Registered Nurse. Documents patient care provided and patient response to treatment. Assists in post-mortem care and helps support family members as needed. Assists member of health care team by obtaining necessary supplies and equipment. Exercises sound judgement in utilization and conservation of all supplies used in patient area. Assembles equipment and effectively prepares patient for tests and treatments. Performs colostomy/urostomy care after individual instruction. Applies external urinary devices. Instructs patients on oxygen safety. Turns patient and assists in deep breathing and coughing exercises as assigned. Assists during emergency situations, including initiating and/or assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies and performs errands for patient care needs as requested. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients. Observes, reports, and records changes in patient's physical or emotional status, i.e., signs and symptoms that may require interventions or treatment, e.g., respiratory distress, cyanosis, aspiration, infiltration of IV fluids, blood transfusion reaction, unusual behavior, non-verbal signs of pains, stress or withdrawal. Employs therapeutic and effective communicative skills relating to patients, staff, and visitors. Helps instruct or interpret instruction to patient or family to obtain cooperation in treatments. Provides emotional support for the critically ill or dying patients. Effectively utilizes disturbed/disruptive behavior management techniques. Guides, encourages, and provides basic instruction to patients in achieving maximum motivation, independence, and re-socialization and rehabilitation. Actively participates in patient/team conferences. Contributes information the patient care plan. Conducts small discussion and therapeutic patient groups under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Applies and removes simple sterile and non-sterile dressings and bandages, slings, ace bandages, and elastic stockings. Performs cleansing and dressing changes on simple wounds. Applies sterile and non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs and soaks. Utilizes equipment that provides heating or cooling. Gives Sitz baths and other prescribed baths and soaks. Applies medicated ointments, creams, shampoos, solutions, etc., at direction of RN.
Pay Scale: V0F3
Work Schedule: Days/Nights 12 hours with rotation to other shifts as needed
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel
- Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to a background/security investigation
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
Qualifications
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.
- 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. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
- English Language Proficiency: 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 and meet the criteria).
Preferred Experience: N/A
Grade Determinations:
GS-3 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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 - 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents.
2 Ability to observe patients/residents 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 patient / residents, their families and other health professionals.
GS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G46
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: 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.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/16/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12561246.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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