Nursing Assistant

Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent of this position serves as a Nursing Assistant with the Oscar G. Johnson, VAMC (OGJVAMC), Community Living Center (CLC). The primary purpose of this position is to perform a very wide range of patient personal care, treatment, and charting activities on a regular and continuing basis on a rehabilitation, short-term and long-term care ward. The incumbent performs duties in such a way as to promote a sense of worth and dignity for the individual.

• Performs a complete range of treatment procedures such as routine urinary catheter care; including external catheter placements; application of cold and heat; changing simple dressings; and irrigation of a healed colostomy. Additionally, performs selected treatments such as foot-soaks; performs basic care for patients requiring the use of isolation techniques. Recognizes life-threatening situations and initiates cardiopulmonary resuscitation as needed. Alerts the nurse to changes in the patient's condition and assists in emergency treatment. Participates in nursing care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings, using good judgment in identifying and reporting patient problems, planning individual care, and discharge planning. Suggests feasible means to meet patient needs. Provides comfort care and hygiene to patients to include bathing, hair and nail care, oral hygiene, and skin care. Positions patients for comfort and therapy. Assists with feeding and maintains a safe, clean, pleasant patient environment. Assists patients in walking, moving, and changing position by supporting and turning them. Accompanies patients to other areas of the hospital. Takes vital signs; i.e., blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate and temperature, measures height and weight, and measures intake and output. Carries out specified procedures such as irrigations, care of drainage tubes, suctioning, and administration of oxygen. Knowledge and ability to perform restorative functions. Changes or assists with the changing of dressings, both sterile and clean. Assists the physician and/or nurse with complex procedures, gathering the required items, comforting the patient, monitoring patient physical status, and passing instruments and supplies. Assists in post­ mortem care. Obtains laboratory specimens for testing including urine, stool, sputum and nasogastric tube specimens. Performs capillary glucose testing by glucometer, if applicable. Uses the approved method to record and report patient care including obvious physical and/or behavioral changes of patients, vital signs, as well as less obvious and more complex changes such as non-verbal cues; e.g., early signs of skin breakdown, slight drooling of the mouth; changes in sensorium in the medical record. Maintains flow sheets and patient records, documenting patient care as per expected standards. Maintains a safe patient environment, recognizing hazards and taking corrective action. Sets up, operates, performs minor maintenance and upkeep, cleans and properly stores equipment. Adheres to safety practices concerning patient care; maintains a safe clean environment in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies, as well as takes action to correct less obvious hazards, and makes suggestions for improving current equipment and environment. Provides Resident Centered Care: VA CLCs are committed to providing resident-centered care. Resident-centered care identifies an approach to providing health care where the treatment plan is driven by the needs, preferences, and life-long habits of the resident. Performs other related duties as assigned. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-Time. 2:00pm- 10:30pm (may include rotating weekends and holidays.) Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance):Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: This is not a telework position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 06086F, 06087F, and 06088F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized Salary Ranges: GS-3: $32,435 - $42,170 GS-4: $40,897 - $53,169 GS-5: $45,757 - $59,485

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