Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center (CLC)

Department of Veterans Affairs

Northport VA Medical Center seeks a full-time Nursing Assistant (NA) for the Community Living Center. The NA works under close supervision while developing skills in providing complex care. Duties include assisting senior staff, performing activities of daily living, and supporting Veteran recovery and wellness under the direction of licensed healthcare providers.

• This position performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or Community Living Center (CLC), acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. The NA must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: 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 or residents' 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. The NA becomes proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills. Utilizing observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording. Participates in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributes information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintaining a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment. Competent at performing aspects of nursing care to meet patient'/resident needs for: Personal Hygiene Physical Comfort Activity, Exercise, Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Performing and documenting prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, and simple dressing changes. Learning to be proficient utilizing rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding patient/residents in bowel and bladder training. Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups with direction and close supervision. Monitoring patients according to levels of observations i.e. (one to one suicide, continuous observation, 15 minute checks, and hourly rounding. Monitoring Veterans who may be at risk for harming themselves and or others according to established policies and procedures and appropriately refers issues to the charge nurse or other health care professional. Utilizing principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients. Reporting patient status to the RN and documents pertinent observations in the medical record according to established procedures. Sets up patient care related equipment, such as hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction and assisting in monitoring proper functioning of equipment. Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect glucose values on veterans when needed and refer deviations to appropriate nursing staff or other health care provider. Assisting with patient education including orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Working as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury. Beginning to orient lower-level nursing assistance. Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines. Actively participates in annual competency assessment and validation. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-time, Nights 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)

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