Location: Asheville, North Carolina, North Carolina
Categories:
Nursing Support
Internal Number: 820601300
The Charles George VA Medical Center is looking to fill One (1) Nursing Assistant position within the Operating Room. The Nursing Assistant provides direct care to patients, families, and staff on a regular basis in a Operating Room setting. The Nursing Assistant practices under the supervision of a Registered Nurse, who is accountable for assuring adherence to standards of care. 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education or Training. Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA 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. Experience Requirement: GS-03 Nursing Assistant: For GS-03 Entry Level consideration: None beyond the basic requirements. Experience Requirement: GS-04 Nursing Assistant: (A) 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, (B) 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 (C) 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. Experience Requirement: GS-05 Nursing Assistant: (A) 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, (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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-03 to GS-05. References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK 5005 REFERENCE: Part II Appendix G46 EFFECTIVE DATE: May 22, 2024 Physical Requirements: In accordance with VA Handbook 5019, Part II, Paragraph 3, II-1, 1(a), A pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical, cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required, and shall be completed prior to appointment, for all full-time individuals appointed under 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73, for Title 38 positions. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Duties include: Nursing assistant assists OR nursing staff with patient transport pre- and post-operatively to various areas within the hospital including ED, wards, critical care units, clinics, diagnostic and treatment areas. Nursing assistant performs PACU duties when assigned to that area. Nursing assistant performs surgical site hair removal pre-operatively using facility approved hair removal devices. Nursing assistant assists in providing messenger type activities and other ancillary support activities for the OR nursing staff including: Delivering specimens to the labs; o Delivering equipment/supplies to/from other departments; Delivering patients' belongings; Checking the blanket/fluid warmer and stocking it up as needed; Restocking the OR suite with linens and pillows; Locating the stretchers and bringing them back to the OR/PACU areas. Transporting the OR/PACU equipment to and from storage areas; Maintaining environmental safety by organizing the OR areas and hallways to keep them clutter-free. Nursing assistant assists in getting the OR suite ready for the next day by restocking, organizing equipment, and making surgical beds. Nursing assistant assists in getting the OR areas ready for the next day by restocking, organizing equipment, making stretchers and placing them in designated areas. Nursing assistant must wear personal protective equipment when interacting with the patients. Nursing assistant must comply with infection control policies/procedures. Nursing assistant must comply with HIPAA and information security policies/procedures. Nursing assistant must report all incidents and/or accidents to the supervisor immediately. Nursing assistant must treat all patients, visitors, employees, and volunteers with respect, understand the mission and vision of the Charles George VA Medical Center, and uphold organizational core values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence. Nursing assistant performs other direct and indirect patient-care related tasks as assigned by the Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, and charge nurse. Preferred Experience: Experience in, and working knowledge of OR/PACU areas. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:30am to 3:00 pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child .Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.