Summary

The Greater Los Angeles VA Health Care System is seeking 1 experienced Nursing Assistant (NA) for Full time Night Shift in Nursing Service for the Dementia Care Unit of Community Living Center. Located in Los Angeles - CA.

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizen of the United States
• Education or Training
• The candidate must have 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 appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level)
• There is no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Experience/Education: 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 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 Experience/Education: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants
• Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Nursing Assistants 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
• Grandfathering Provisions
• All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12 - 2015 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46 - Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard
• Physical Requirements: Work requires walking - standing - stooping - lifting - bending - pushing - turning - and at times carrying heavy loads
• Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.

Duties

• As a Nursing Assistant you will provide prescribed medical treatment and personal care services to ill and injured veterans
• Duties include upholding the standards of care as outlined by the Medical Center and the Service policies and procedures
• Provide quality nursing care to a variety of patients whose age may range from 17 years to 100+ years
• Provides complete personal hygiene care needs
• Turn and position patients to maintain proper body alignment - lift - ambulates - and transfer patients
• Promote the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self-care activities - such as progressive steps in personal hygiene - bathing - and oral care - also assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating - dressing - undressing - and bladder and other training as needed
• Prepare patients for meals - feeds - and assists those requiring assistance
• Take and record vital signs - weights - neurological checks - and circulatory checks
• Provides supportive assistance for the \"Special precautions\" therapeutic mode by maintaining contact with the patient - relative to their status
• Observes and report desired effects or side effects of psychotropic medications to the RN or provider
• Secures patients valuables - baggage and clothing
• Provides atmosphere and forum for a therapeutic relationship with patients by allowing the opportunity of self-expression and self-motivated appropriate behaviors by communicating acceptance or an empathetic communication and clear verbal feedback in a non-threatening manner
• Support multidisciplinary activities
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Day Shift
• 12 hour shift - 7:30 am - 8:00 pm - May include Weekends and or Holidays
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.