Summary This position will serve as a Nursing Assistant (NA) in the Acute Care Nursing Service at the Veteran Affairs Southern Nevada Medical Center (VASNHS) Las Vegas, Nevada. The Nursing Assistant takes and documents in a timely manner vital signs, intake and output, patient care treatments, passing and picking up meal trays, assisting with transporting of patients to and from the patient care units to other areas of the facility and other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager or designee. Responsibilities The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Responsible for performing a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort and spirit of the patient. Identifies and reports data relative to more complex patient situations including subtle changes in the patient's behavior or condition, or variances related to neurological signs, vital signs, and other parameters. Performs hourly rounding on assigned patients. Monitor's intake and output, vital signs, percent ingestion of meals, and other activities of daily living and documents in appropriate area of the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and/or required paper forms. Assures accuracy and completeness. Assists patients with transfers from bed to chair, or bed to bedside commode using proper body mechanics and/or safe patient handling equipment per policy to ensure safety to self and patient. Provides 1:1 observation for homicidal or suicidal patients, patients who are a danger to themselves or others, or due to a high fall risk as directed by the Nurse Manager, Assistant Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse or designee and documents per policy. Provides and removes patient meal trays as appropriate, remaining cognizant of patients with special diets or who are ordered to not receive anything by mouth. Assists patient with activities of daily living, promoting independence and autonomy. This includes bathing, bowel and bladder care, eating, and positioning for comfort. May provide escort services to patient in the absence of an escort. This includes escorting to other units, diagnostic tests, and to privately owned vehicles when discharged. Takes direction from charge nurse and local policy regarding methods of transfer/escort. Observes and monitors patients and communicates and documents care given during the transportation/escort process. Report's status of patients and changes noted to the registered nurse at escort destination. Continually monitors patient flow, identifies existing and potential problem areas or delays in processing a Veteran's medical care request. Monitor's environment of care and initiates corrective actions to prevent patient injury, reporting problems and resolution to Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse or designee. Report's observations of the condition of acute and chronic phase patients such as excessive vomiting, bleeding, type and amount of drainage, skin integrity, patency of airway, etc. Recognizes emergency situations (i.e., codes, disasters, fire and safety issues) and takes appropriate and immediate action. Can successfully perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver. Answer's patient call lights, either in person or electronically, and ensures patient request is passed along to the appropriate nursing staff (e.g. Charge Nurse, Primary Nurse, or other Nursing Assistant, etc.) Accurately communicates a variety of Physician's orders involving patient activities and routes information to appropriate staff, clinics, and departments, i.e., dietary, laboratory, etc. Applies established guidelines concerning the release of information on patient's condition. Demonstrates and adheres to all aspects of Veteran Centered Care concepts, ICARE, and the Code of Conduct in daily work/interactions with others. Monitors patients remotely via virtual sitting/telesitting. Work Schedule: Varied Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 593-00068-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. English Language Proficiency. Nursing Assistants 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). Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level). Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant. 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). 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 Nursing Assistant (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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard, GS-621 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: Duties require extensive period of standing, sitting and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching and similar activities. The employee provides physical restraints for confused or combative patients as necessary. The nursing assistant must be physically able to lift to meet the physical standards of the position as evaluated by Employee Health. 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. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.