These positions are located within the Med Surg Unit at the VA Portland Healthcare System located in Portland, OR. A Recruitment Incentive may be available to highly qualified candidates. Citizenship: Must be a Citizen of the United States. 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. 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. 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: 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. 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 REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. 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. 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. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Experience. One year of specialized experience as a NA 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, Education. 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, such as education in a program for psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians; AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 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. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 (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 in subparagraph (c) 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 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: Prior Medical-Surgical and/or Nursing Facility experience . References: VA Handbook 5005, 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: The work requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, lifting, twisting, pulling, pushing, and repositioning patients, or similar activities without limitation.Lift and/or move heavy objects over 45 pounds; carry objects over 40 pounds for distances of at least 200 feet; hearing aids allowed; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; working alone or closely with others. ["Provides assistance with bathing and personal hygiene needs, shower or bed bath, shaving, nail care, toileting, and activities of daily living. Drains catheter bags, sets up meal trays and assists with feeding, monitors and documents food/fluid intake and output, and turns and repositions bedridden patients regularly to prevent skin breakdown. Uses appropriate safe patient handling (SPH) equipment for patient turns, re-positioning and transfers to minimize risk of injury to patient and self. Keeps patient area clean and tidy, removes excess clutter, and makes beds. Answers the call light and does bedside rounding. Room set up for admission, and breakdown for discharges. At all times demonstrates effective and professional communication skills with the patient and family, especially with clients experiencing behavioral issues, depression, anger, irritation, suicide ideation, substance abuse withdrawal and pain or discomfort. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient situations including subtle changes in patients' behavior or condition, or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. Major duties will include, but will not be limited to: Takes direction and assists nurses in the care and treatment of the ill receiving medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient treatment. Observes and reports to the professional nurse changes in patient vital signs, behavior, attitude, bodily complaints, and appearance. Reports atypical or abnormal capillary blood glucose (CBG) results and vital signs to the nurse immediately. Ensures two patient identifiers for all tests conducted, e.g., ECG's and CBG's. Provides appropriate level care to patients experiencing extremes of behavior, including the severely depressed, suicidal, or homicidal patient, and the drug or alcohol abuse patient. Recognizes emergency situations and intervenes while awaiting assistance. Provides nursing treatment for acutely ill patients whose needs require advance skill such as (DS)placing patient on cardiac monitor, taking EKG's(DS). Assists nurses in the performance of bedside diagnostic examinations and therapies by ensuring patient privacy, setting up with equipment and supplies and performing duties such as monitoring vital signs, preparing and positioning the patient, or by performing a variety of routine diagnostic tests. Maintains cleanliness and removes unnecessary items from the immediate procedural area. Observes universal precautions and facility workplace guidelines at all times. Reports observations of the condition of acute or chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, professional bleeding, nurse. type Prepares and amount patients of for drainage, transport skin to integrity, diagnostic patency procedures of that airway, occur etc. to outside the of the unit. Enters specific information onto patients' records or charts, including vital signs and daily weights. Follows designated charting technique to post to patients' charts that provides a daily outline or summary of the patient's care. Documents pertinent information inducing current health status, and/or subtle changes in the patient's biopsychosocial status. Performs direct patient support work including personal patient care and/or patient teaching. Teaches patients and family members the necessity to continue recommended therapeutic procedures for proper health care. Provides specific health information based on patient's condition, e.g., acceptance of limited physical mobility, proper body mechanics, pre- and postoperative breathing techniques, etc. Refers inquires as appropriate to professional nurses and other members of the interdisciplinary team. Work Schedule: Varying shifts available seven days a week. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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