Nursing Assistant - Float Pool (intermittent) Open Continuous

Summary
This intermittent float position is designed to support multiple locations across the facility with a primary focus on 1:1 patient care requirements (but may also support other Nursing Assistant patient care needs when indicated). Administratively, the positions will be located in the Inpatient Acute Care Directorate or Nursing Practice Directorate at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC) in North Chicago, IL.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Videos
Duties
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Personal Patient Care Duties
The responsibility of the Nursing Assistant is for personal patient care. The incumbent will have skills in observing and recognizing changes in patient's mental and physical condition. Duties of the NA include all functions and responsibilities performed at GS-05 (Full Performance
Level). Performs patient care duties, ranging from routine to moderately specialized. Major duties included, but are not limited to:

• Prioritizes and safely delivers care and a broad range of highly complex treatments and procedures for patients with a variety of physical and/or behavioral problems.
• Reports and records care and changes noted in patients' condition to the supervising RN/ Charge Nurse or Team Leader, on the progress notes and other forms as instructed and according to standards.
• Employs proper body mechanics and the safe use of equipment in the care of all patients.
• Recognizes early signs/symptoms and risk factors for suicide and disruptive behaviors and demonstrates effective strategies to reduce crisis situations.
• Participates in the admission of patients by taking vital signs, initial search and shower, and orienting patients to the unit.
• Applies and removes dressing of simple, moderately complex wounds.
• Performs oral suctioning.
• Shares responsibility with staff and completes hourly observation rounds on patients.
• Provides hands on support for residents in: i. progressive mobility programs such as ambulation, bed mobility, and transfer, including strengthening and endurance exercise and range of motion (ROM); ii. application of prosthetic equipment and splint & brace use; iii. cognitive re-orientation; iv. dining and eating programs; v. communication programs; vi. dressing and grooming programs; vii. scheduled toileting and bladder retraining program.
• Monitors Veterans as assigned requiring a higher level of observation, completing routine observation rounds, and flow sheet documentation.
• Attends Prevention and Management of Disturbed Behavior training as required. Participates as a member of the Psychiatric Crisis Intervention Team (PCIT).
• Engages the patient in the Recovery process.
• Completes patient belongings and valuables inventory.
• Performs and completes all verbal and written tasks assigned during the tour of duty.
• Answer call lights promptly and take appropriate actions.
• Maintains consistent, courteous relationships with supervisors, co-workers, and patients. Recognizes co-workers as internal customers and respond appropriately.
• Monitors, records, and reports vital signs and intakes and outputs.
• Maintains constant (1:1) observation of patients.
• Maintains constant (1:1) observation of patients during off unit escorts.
• Maintains constant observation of patients during off unit escorts per service protocol.
• Performs unit-based testing including breathalyzer, blood glucose testing per service protocol.
• Works in collaboration with Restorative Care Coordinator, Kinesiotherapy (KT), Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), Speech Pathology and Nursing.
• Participates in care planning with nurse by suggesting nursing actions based on information obtained from patients or group meetings.
• Works with patients to use a variety of methods, individually or in groups, to explore behavior and feelings for the purpose of establishing more acceptable approaches to managing stress.
• Employs therapeutic communication skills in relating to patients, family members, and visitors.
• Establishes effective therapeutic relationships with patients and family members of all ages.
• Provides emotional support to seriously ill and terminally ill patient and their family members.
• Displays willingness and success as an effective member of teams, assists others, participates in team activities, and actively works towards resolution of unit issues.
• Monitors the mental health environment of care for any safety issues.
• Follows established SOPs and checklists in the use, set up, pre-cleaning, storage, reprocessing, and maintenance of all RME's, as applicable.
• Follows infection prevention and control principles.
• Consistently maintains cleanliness and neatness of assigned work areas and the unit work area.
• Complies with all ADP security and confidentiality requirements in accordance with Privacy Act of 1974, HIPAA, and VHA handbook regarding Privacy Act.
• Serves meals in the dining area and complies with protocols to maintain safety.
• Completes environment of care safety rounds.
• Conducts room searches for safety
• Documents vital signs in CPRS.
• Documents on the restraint and seclusion flow sheet.
• Documents on observation flow sheet
• Assist in emergency situations.

Work Schedule: Rotating Tour Days 0700-1530 & PM 3p-1130p with rotation on weekends & holidays
Compressed/Flexible: Per supervisor discretion
Telework: Not Authorized
Functional Statement #: 00000
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:

• 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 [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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Creditable Experience

(1) Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.
(2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, [NA] experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.
(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a [NA] is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a [NA] employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.
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:

• Previous experience (or recent training) as a Nursing Assistant, or Medical Assistant.
• BLS Certification

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
GS-05 (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below;
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 KSAs

1. 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.
2. 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.
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.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for [NAs]. [NAs] at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. [NAs] at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/81, PART II, APPENDIX G46
The full performance level of this vacancy is 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. The incumbent may be exposed to infected and/or contaminated patient materials and may be required to don protecting clothing in isolation situations. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations; able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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 ...