Duties

Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
The incumbent must be able to perform with skill and effectiveness all duties associated with nursing assistant work under the supervision of the Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse.

• Measuring vital signs (to include temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, weights and pain measurement).
• Proficient with chart documentation, direct patient care duties, patient and family teaching, and patient safety duties.
• Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort, spirit and recovery of the patient.
• Records treatments and observations in the electronic patient record.
• Recognizes and reports to the RN or provider any significant physical, emotional or behavioral changes in the patient.
• Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy, handling and delivery to the laboratory.
• Transports patients and specimens to required destinations and prepares for and assists with examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies.
• Assists with therapeutic treatment techniques to include conducting groups, 1: 1 observations, the proper use of restraints, aseptic and deescalating techniques.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Enter information into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
• Documents vital signs, treatments, procedures, and cardiac rhythm interpretations performed in CPRS.
• Practices excellent customer service in all work activities; poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with the health care team, patients, families and or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.

Telemetry Monitoring:

• Performs the cardiac/respiratory monitoring duties at the central cardiac monitoring station after successfully completing the Arrhythmia Class and associated telemetry competencies.
• Admits and discharges patient from the central monitor station.
• Updating daily assignment board and sheet with current nurse.
• Assure that all telemetry orders are current and not expired.
• Runs, interprets, and posts ECG strips every four hours and provides interpretation to include: rate, rhythm, PR interval, QRS complex, and QT intervals in CPRS.
• Assures malfunctioning equipment is sent to BioMed with an accurate description of the malfunction.
• Conducts alarm review and sets alarm limits as ordered by the provider.

Work Schedule: Rotating 8 or 12-hour shifts/days/evenings/nights. Tour of duty subject to change based on agency needs.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Nursing Assistant/Monitor Technician/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to a background/security investigation.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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 Nursing Assistant 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: Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

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).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

GS-3 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): None beyond the Basic Requirements.

GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA):
(a) EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience as an Nursing Assistant 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,

(b) EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (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

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.3. 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.4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.

GS-5 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA):
(a) EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below;

OR,

(b) 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

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

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.

Preferred Experience:

References: References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix, G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard.

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 prolonged periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients/residents and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients/residents and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent maybe exposed to patients/residents 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 patients/resident's needs. The incumbent must complete annual employee health requirements as applicable, such as annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment. The physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019.

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

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .