Career Center

The incumbent practices as a Nursing Assistant (NA) on the Community Living Center inpatient areas of VA Montana Medical Center. This area serves adult and elderly Veterans needing acute, chronic, long term care, rehabilitation or end of life care. Patients often present with multiple chronic medical conditions, mental illness, or are in need of end of life care. 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 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. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: GS-03 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA Experience. 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, Education. 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, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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-5 NA (Full Performance Level) 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; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81 Part II Appendix G46 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: The work involves long periods of moving about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting and repositioning, and transferring patients. Incumbent may be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy, and concern. Must be quick and dependable in taking emergency action in using initiative to prevent accidents. ["Restorative Program Required Function of Nursing Assistant: All duties include but are not limited to:\n1. Accurately record restorative care given to resident in CareTracker/CPRS.\n2. Inform Restorative Nurse/PT of improvements or decline in resident condition.\n3. Participate in training and/or meetings that help facilitate the Restorative Nursing/Therapy department communication process.\n4. Report observations.\n5. Perform ordered therapies in safe and skillful manner as indicated for each resident. Allied Nursing Functions: Defined as direct and indirect activities related to patient care as appropriately assigned by the RN. These activities are targeted to assisting the health care team. 1. Adheres to VA and Nursing policies, procedures, and standards.\n2. Delivers care to patients in a respectful, non-judgmental manner.\n3. Maintains patient privacy/confidentiality and patient rights to privacy/confidentiality.\n4. Sets limits within the Nursing AssistanUpatient relationship, which are clearly defined.\n5. Participates in selected Continuous Improvement (Cl) activities as directed.\n6. Assists with selected activities related to patient admission/transfer and discharge,\n7. Collects patient information including observation of overall condition.\n8. Recognizes and reports obvious changes in patient condition including emergencies.\n9. Takes appropriate actions in response to patient emergent situations.\n10. Accurately documents patient information in CPRS.\n11. Provides patient information to the accountable RN for inclusion in the patient's plan of care.\n12. Completes assignment, reports to the accountable RN when assignment has been completed or when unable to complete activities.\n13. Uses appropriate lifting/moving/transfer techniques/devices.\n14. Utilizes infection control and universal standard precautions.\n15. Adjusts to assignment changes.\n16. Participates in the interdisciplinary team care planning and delivery of care process.\n17. Assists in the implementation of any treatment program as assigned. Safety: Defined as adherence to safety guidelines in accordance with training classes, written procedures, and supervisory instructions: the utilization of safety equipment and other devices/procedures necessary for protection; and the reporting of unsafe/unhealthful working conditions or unsafe equipment.\n1. Maintains a safe/clean/stocked work environment\n2. Demonstrates appropriate actions in environmental emergencies.\n3. Utilizes equipment in a safe manner.\n4. Reports unsafe equipment and working conditions to appropriate individuals.\n5. Completes mandatory safety training/annual reviews.\n6. Assists in maintaining a therapeutic milieu as directed.\n7. Cleans non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment Interpersonal Communication: Defined as the demonstration of positive people to people skills in interactions which reflect caring, service orientation, professionalism, understanding, helpfulness and concern toward patients, visitors, and other employees of the Medical Center.\n1. Interacts in a courteous/respectful manner with co-workers/members of other services.\n2. Interacts in a courteous/respectful manner with patients, families and visitors.\n3. Uses appropriate channels of communication.\n4. Participates in unit-based staff meetings.\n5. Follows verbal and/or written directions.\n6. Accurately conveys and receives information through either a verbal, written communication or electronic mode.\n7. Adheres to uniform policy.\n8. Uses information management technologies, follows computer security policies and provides for confidentiality of patient and/or employee information.\n9. Respects individual differences (diversity) of patients and all staff.\n10. Maintains appropriate boundaries when dealing with patients/significant others/families and all staff.\n11. Uses organizational channels (including Ethics Committee) to seek help to resolve personal concerns resulting from ethical conflicts Work Schedule: 5:30am-6:00pm or 7:30am-8:00pm with rotating nights and weekends\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant-Community Living Center/PD526200\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]