The Eastern Colorado Health Care System VA Hospital is located on the Fitzsimmons Campus in Aurora, Colorado and is currently recruiting for two GS 5 Nursing Assistants to work on the K3 Post Surgical/Rehab Unit. 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: U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant, (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. Grade Determination: GS-5 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. 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. Preferred Experience: At least 1-2 years experience In Patient Medical Surgical hospital and/or in patient hospital acute rehabilitation experience References: VA Handbook 5005/81 PART II APPENDIX G46. The full performance level of this vacancy is a GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy Carrying 45 pounds and over, Straight pulling, Constant pushing, pulling, walking, standing, carrying, bending, and reaching Frequent kneeling, climbing, and twisting, and reaching above shoulder, Requires se of fingers, and both hands. ["Nursing Assistant duties include, but are not limited to the following: Performs & fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe & effective patient care w/ appropriate training levels All tasks, assignments & activities is under a RN's direction, guidance & supervision Adheres to VA and Nursing policies, procedures, & standards Contributes to safe, clean & therapeutic environment for patients/staff by maintaining clean equipment, patient's rooms & ward areas Cares for patients w/ communicable diseases that may require various isolation precautions Must don appropriate PPE based on type of isolation precaution Follows infection control/hand washing policies Complies w/ safety/fire policies/rules/practices Reports all accidents/unsafe/unhealthy environmental situations/conditions Corrects/reports/removes broken equipment out of service immediately/tags it/submits repair ticket through Maximo Uses sterile techniques w/ techniques w/ treatments & simple dressings that don't require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates, & stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances & performs bowel/bladder trainings per treatment plan Observes PIV/CVC for redness, swelling, or pain & reports finding to RN Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene & applying external catheters Assists w/ patient rehabilitation & preventing deformities by correcting position & assisting w/ Activities of Daily Living, ADLs, including ambulation Performs ambulation & range of motion activities Measures & records vital signs including temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure & measuring height & weight, monitors patient's O2 use/compliance Measures & records intake & output, (performs bladder scans, EKGs, collects urine, sputum, MRSA or stool specimens, oral suctioning per RN) Recognizes overt abnormal signs & symptoms &/or changes in patients' condition & responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information Observes/reports patient complaints, results of treatment performed, change in patient's condition, behavior &/or attitude Observes/reports patient complaints, all changes in patient's physical condition &/or emotional status, e.g. post-operative shock signs, hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory, distress, mucous aspiration, IV infiltration, acute behavior changes or unusual behavior Utilizes Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Clinicomp/Essentris per policy Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise & timely Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle & wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints & padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive threatening behaviors & documents actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS) Initiates Code Yellow at RN's direction, initiates CPR or activates Code Blue according to medical center policy for patients found unresponsive &/or not breathing Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics/use of mechanical devices Requests assistance from other staff when moving/lifting/turning as needed patients to prevent injury to patient/self/others Assists w/ patients' admissions/discharges/transfers Accurately documents/secures personal belongings, e.g. valuables, dentures, hearing aids, eyes & limbs Participates in patient care conferences/helps create nursing care plans, Participates educational activities, completes unit based in-services, & mandatory educational activities in a self-directed manner by deadlines Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills & professional behavior that promote cooperation & teamwork Practices good customer customer service and demonstrates VA I-CARE values Participates in unit-based quality of care performance improvement activities, unit based performance improvement measures & results Identifies problem areas by practicing evidence-based practices on unit Perform other duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7am-7:30pm. Rotating 12 hour day and night shifts. Shift work includes weekends and holidays depending on the needs on the service. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51164-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year. The VA Martinsburg Healthcare System offers a wide range of health, support, and facility services for Veterans at 8 locations serving western Maryland, south-central Pennsylvania, northwest Virginia, and West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. Primary Care services are offered at the following locations. Martinsburg WV, Hagerstown MD, Cumberland MD, Franklin WV, Harrisonburg VA, Petersburg WV and Winchester VA.
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
Physicians interested in caring for our America's Veterans and their families, email Nicole.Carey@va.gov or call 304-620-4354.
