North Central Section of the AUA, Inc.

This Nursing Assistant position is organizationally aligned under 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 (Sousley Campus or Bowling Campus) but is required to work at the other locations as necessary. 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: CNA/SRNA Certificate preferred, experience on a medical surgical unit preferred. 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 GS-3/4/5. 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). ["The Nursing Assistant will bathe, shave, give oral hygiene, provide nail care, and active range of motion activity. Provides other personal needs; properly disposing of body wastes, prepares patients for meals and feeds patients. Administers tube feedings through gastrostomy tube with mature stoma and sustained skin integrity by bolus or gravity. Notes changes in patients' nutritional needs, and reports to Registered Nurse. Makes beds, positions, holds, turns, ambulates, and transfers patients as indicated. Identifies need for and applies supportive and protective devices for protection of patient and personnel. Utilizes lift aids and good body mechanics. Maintains safe and therapeutic environment by keeping assigned area in a orderly and sanitary condition. Maintains the cleanliness of all items in the patient area. Utilizes Standard Precautions for all contact with body substances, which include urine, blood, saliva, feces, vomitus, wound drainage or any other body fluid. Instructs patients and visitors about 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 labels specimens of sputum, urine (routine and sterile), feces, and assists with collection of other sterile specimens, as directed by the team leader for storage and/or delivery to the laboratory. Measures/records vital signs, height and weight, intake and output, and reports changes to Registered Nurse. Assists Registered Nurse in monitoring signs/symptoms or intravenous infiltration or dislodgement. Documents patient care/patient response to treatment. Assists in post-mortem care, supports family members as needed. Assists members of health care team by obtaining supplies and equipment, exercises sound judgement in utilization/conservation of supplies used in patient area. Assembles equipment and prepares patient for tests and treatments. Administers cleansing or retention enemas. Performs colostomy/urostomy care after individual instructions. Applies external urinary devices. Discontinues and reconnects oxygen therapy by nasal cannula or mask, and 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, care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies, and performs errands as requested. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients. Observes, reports, records changes in patients' 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/effective communicative skills with patients, staff and visitors. Helps instruct or interpret instructions to patients and family to obtain cooperation in disturbed/disruptive behavior management techniques. Guides, encourages, provides basic instruction to patients in achieving maximum motivation, independence, resocialization and rehabilitation. Participates in patient/team conferences, and contributes to patient care plan. Conducts small discussion/therapeutic patient groups under direction of a Registered Nurse. Applies/removes simple sterile and non-sterile dressings (such as transparent, hydrocolloidal, non stick and moist to damp) and bandages, slings, ace bandages, elastic stockings. Applies sterile/non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs and soaks. Utilizes equipment to provides heating and cooling. Gives Sitz baths/other prescribed baths and soaks. Performs oral suctioning. Observes/reports sigs of dyspnea, cyanosis, bleeding around the tracheostomy and swelling of the neck. Performs non-invasive procedures, e.g., bladder scan, pulse oximeter, reports results to the Registered Nurse. Performs glucometer testing as ordered by provider, documents results. Informs Registered Nurse of critical values. Teaches by example demonstrating to personnel/patients proper techniques/treatment principles in performing basic Nursing Service procedures. Anticipates changes in workload activity and offers assistance to meet the need. Contributes to Nursing Service committees to enhance patient care. Completes annual competency review. Maintains infection control practices as defined by the organizational memorandums. Follows Reusable Medical Equipment memorandums/standard operating procedures. Work Schedule: Part Time 40 hours per pay period (May include holidays and weekends) Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Incentive: An incentive is authorized for highly qualified applicants"]

Return to Search Results