AddressSummary The Nursing Assistant is responsible for providing assistance to the licensed nursing staff in care of patients throughout the facility receiving preventive, acute, sub acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Within Inpatient and Outpatient Nursing services, the NA will perform specimen collection, patient transport, specimen transport, and pharmacy transport duties, and will also monitor wheelchair availability throughout the Medical Center to include inpatient and outpatient units. Responsibilities This position is located within the Nursing Services at the Syracuse VA Medical Center serves as a Nursing Assistant (NA) in Nursing Service. Duties include, but are not limited to: This position carries out the day-to-day operations throughout the facility. This would include specimen collection to assist the nursing staff with blood draws and lab requests. Ensure the safe transport of inpatients and emergency room patients to and from therapeutic and diagnostic procedures using appropriate equipment and safety measures. The incumbent is cognizant of the signs and symptoms of impending violence such as increased agitation, yelling, or non-cooperation and takes prompt action. Transfers, transports, and monitors patients traveling by wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to procedures or medical tests in a safe and efficient manner. Utilizes verbal/written 'handoff' interactive communication that provides opportunity for questioning between the giver and receiver of patient information. The employee will interact with escort volunteers to determine the most efficient way of accomplishing a transportation request. Keeps working areas clean and follows safety precautions utilizing sterile techniques and infection control techniques such as hand hygiene, mask wearing, transporting isolated patients, and cleaning wheelchairs after patient use. Ensures working area are free of obstructions. Obtain and transport laboratory specimens and pharmacy items/paperwork to specified laboratory, and delivery points. Coordinates transport of patient specimens and medications with escort volunteers. Gathers, stores, and distributes wheelchairs throughout the Medical Center, identifying wheelchairs in need of minor or major repair and removes from service. Inventories wheelchairs twice per year and notifies VA Police immediately of missing chairs found during inventory or removed from VA property without authorization. Ensures wheelchairs are available in all entrances to include the Emergency Room at the end of each shift. Maintains a safe, secure, and healthy work environment by following standards and procedures; complying with federal and state legal regulations; and The Joint Commission requirements to include knowledge of national safety goals. Complies with HIPAA and Privacy Rules and accesses PII when required for performance of duties and maintains knowledge of new regulations. Answers telephone calls, provides response, or refers to appropriate staff member. Stocks, replenishing, and preparing supplies and equipment for use. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. c. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. d. English Language Proficiency. [NAs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. e. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: [(1)] Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. [(2)] If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Will be made in accordance with VA HANDBOOK 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46 at time of tentative job offer. References: VA Handbook 5005 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: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical patient lifts are provided. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
