Career Center

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Southeastern Region, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 16), Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Nursing Service, New Orleans, Louisiana. The work involves personal patient care, supporting diagnostic procedures, technical nursing treatments, patient charting and patient teaching. 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 NA 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 and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations (GS-5) 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; Candidates must also demonstrate that they meet 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 [NAs] 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: Minimum one year experience working with long term care, inpatient hospice, rehabilitation care, and/or other acute care settings such as medical surgical (Medsurg), emergency department (ED), and intensive care unit (ICU). Experience providing bedside resident/patient care, Experience working with individuals with behavioral issues. Certified Nursing Assistant Certification. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 MARCH 12, 2015 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. Physical Requirements: Minimum of 1 years' experience working with Long-term, rehabilitative care and hospice patients. Knowledge of restorative care, vital signs, lab collections, EKG. Knowledge of appropriate instance in which to notify the RN of a patients change in condition. Minimum of 1 years' experience working with Long-term, rehabilitative care and hospice patients. Knowledge of restorative care, vital signs, lab collections, EKG. Knowledge of appropriate instance in which to notify the RN of a patients change in condition. ["The employee will perform delegated tasks appropriate to the care of patients. The employee will function as a member of a clinical team to provide health care support to include but not limited to screening and data collection regarding patient's complaints, provide basic patient care, phlebotomy, and transport of patients. He/she will practice good infection prevention control procedures and techniques and will be familiar with the care and operation of any equipment necessary in the performance of duties. Duties:\n1.Performs vital signs, intake and output, EKGts, Point-of Care (POC) testing, phlebotomy and collection and delivery of specimens according to protocol, as appropriate.\n2. Assists patients in and out of vehicles, wheelchairs, stretchers, etc., in a safe and efficient manner; and will transport unmonitored patients to procedures and/or to inpatient and/or outpatient sites of care.\n3. Provide 1:1 observation or constant observation while monitoring status designated patients awaiting transport to another level of care.\n4. Provides personal care such as bathing, shaving, mouth care, nail care and shampoo.\n5. Ambulates patients with or without assistive devices.\n6. Cares for patients on special frames/beds or with prosthetic devices.\n7. Feeds patients and administers tube feedings.\n8. Provides for bowel/bladder elimination needs.\n9. Administers enemas and inserts rectal suppositories for bowel elimination.\n10. Applies external catheters and inserts urinary catheters.\n11.Sets up and performs bladder and colostomy irrigation procedures.\n12. Maintains skin integrity by following guidelines for skin care, including turning, positioning, use of skin protectives, and pressure ulcer care.\n13.Performs dressing changes, including the application of sterile complex dressings.\n14.Suctions oral cavities and tracheostomy patients.\n15.Monitors and discontinues peripheral fluid infusions.\n16.Monitors use of oxygen and assists with incentive spirometry.\n17.Applies safety devices and locked/unlocked restraints.\n18. Assists with postmortem care.\n19. Assists with patient teaching(inpatient) Employee will document care that is given according to established medical center policies and procedures.\n20. Adheres to safety procedures, infection control and universal precautions at all times, and appropriate disposition of specimen/waste products.\n21. Recognizes emergency events or changes in patient condition requiring RN notification.\n22.Secures patient belongings according to established medical center policy and procedures.\n23. Maintains privacy and confidentiality when providing patient care.\n24. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Sunday- Saturday, 3:00 p.m.-11:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m.- 7:30 a.m., with rotating tours\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]