Summary This Nursing Assistant position is organizationally aligned under Surgical Services/Patient Care Services. S/he works at a two-divisional teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kentucky (UK) Medical Center at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Lexington, Ky. Incumbent will normally work at one of the locations for the two divisions (Bowling Division/Sousley Division) but is required to work at the other location as necessary. Responsibilities The incumbent in this position is aligned under Surgical Services or Patient Care Services in the Lexington VA Health Care System and works a rotating tour of duty. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. The incumbent bathes, shaves, provides oral hygiene, shampoos hair, provides nail care, and active range of motion activity. Provides other personal needs, such as properly disposing of body wastes. Prepares for patients meals. Feeds selected patients and/or assists other patients as necessary. Notes changes in patient's nutritional needs, and reports to Registered Nurse. Changes bed lines as needed. Positions, holds, turns, ambulates, and transfers patients as indicated. Identifies the need for and appropriately applies supportive and protective devices for the protection of the patient and personnel. Utilizes lift aids with appropriate body mechanics. Maintains a safe and therapeutic environment by maintaining assigned area in an orderly and sanitary condition. Maintains the cleanliness of all items in the patient area. Utilizes correct Standard Precautions for all contact with the Veteran and bodily substances. Bodily substances include, urine, blood, saliva, feces, vomitus, wound drainage, or any other bodily fluid excreted by the Veteran. Instructs patients and visitors about the use of protective procedures if indicated. Sets up patient rooms for other isolation/transmission precautions as indicated. Transports patients who may require close observation and support. Accompanies selected patients when necessary. Assures safety during transportation process; assures proper hand-off and accountability for return of patients. Collects and correctly labels specimens of sputum, urine, (routine and sterile), feces, and assists with the collection of other sterile specimens, as directed by the team leader for storage and/or delivery to the laboratory. Measures and records vital signs, height and weight, intake and output. Reports changes in the patient's condition to the Registered Nurse. Documents patient care provided and patient response to treatment. Assists in post-mortem care and helps support family members as needed. Assists member of health care team by obtaining necessary supplies and equipment. Exercises sound judgement in utilization and conservation of all supplies used in patient area. Assembles equipment and effectively prepares patient for tests and treatments. Performs colostomy/urostomy care after individual instruction. Applies external urinary devices. Instructs patients on oxygen safety. Turns patient and assists in deep breathing and coughing exercises as assigned. Assists during emergency situations, including initiating and/or assisting with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and the care of the choking victim. Obtains equipment and supplies and performs errands for patient care needs as requested. Establishes and maintains a therapeutic relationship with patients. Observes, reports, and records changes in patient's physical or emotional status, i.e., signs and symptoms that may require interventions or treatment, e.g., respiratory distress, cyanosis, aspiration, infiltration of IV fluids, blood transfusion reaction, unusual behavior, non-verbal signs of pains, stress or withdrawal. Employs therapeutic and effective communicative skills relating to patients, staff, and visitors. Helps instruct or interpret instruction to patient or family to obtain cooperation in treatments. Provides emotional support for the critically ill or dying patients. Effectively utilizes disturbed/disruptive behavior management techniques. Guides, encourages, and provides basic instruction to patients in achieving maximum motivation, independence, and re-socialization and rehabilitation. Actively participates in patient/team conferences. Contributes information the patient care plan. Conducts small discussion and therapeutic patient groups under the direction of a Registered Nurse. Applies and removes simple sterile and non-sterile dressings and bandages, slings, ace bandages, and elastic stockings. Performs cleansing and dressing changes on simple wounds. Applies sterile and non-sterile hot/cold compresses, packs and soaks. Utilizes equipment that provides heating or cooling. Gives Sitz baths and other prescribed baths and soaks. Applies medicated ointments, creams, shampoos, solutions, etc., at direction of RN. Pay Scale: V0F3 Work Schedule: Days/Nights 12 hours with rotation to other shifts as needed Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted). English Language Proficiency: 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). Preferred Experience: N/A Grade Determinations: GS-3 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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 - successful completion of 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents. 2 Ability to observe patients/residents 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 patient / residents, their families and other health professionals. GS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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 nursing assistants 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G46 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted). 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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. 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.