The James J. Peters (Bronx) VAMC is recruiting 3 full-time Nursing Assistants for the Spinal Cord Injury Patient Care Center (SCIPPC). 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-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 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs - 1. 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 Vocation 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 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: Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard GS-621 Veterans Health Administration, VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-05. Physical Requirements: The physical requirements of this position include lifting, prolonged standing and sitting, frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing, reaching (overhead, extensive/repetitive), pulling, pushing, repetitive motion and stooping. The mental/sensory requirements include recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, speaking clearly, writing legibly, keyboarding, reading and logical thinking, depth perception, hearing (aide permitted); near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements. The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities, frequent, sometimes intense customer interactions, and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment. There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease, illness and hazardous materials. Work requires extensive walking, standing, stretching and bending in caring for patients. ["This position is located in the Spinal Cord Injury patient care Center, James J Peters VAMC. The mission of this center is consistent with the mission of the Medical Center. The Mission of the Spinal Cord Injury Patient Care Center (SCIPCC) is to promote the health, independence, quality of life, &productivity of individuals with spinal cord injury. The SCIPCC offers a unique system of care that includes a full range of health care for eligible persons who are diagnosed with ALS, MS, individuals who sustained injury to their spinal cord or who have other spinal cord legions. Person served also include those with stable neurological deficit due to spinal cord injury, intra-spinal nonmalignant neoplasm, vascular insult, cauda equine syndrome, inflammatory disease, demyelinating disease limited to the spinal cord and of stable nature, and degenerative spinal disease, ALS and MS patients. Gives personal nursing care to patients, i.e., oral feeding, bathing, bowel and bladder care, weighing patients etc., and, in addition, performs health teaching to assist and motivate the patient to achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living. Carries out a range of treatment procedures. Examples - use of certain breathing apparatuses, cold packs, gives enemas/suppositories, cares for patients in isolation, positioning & turning, specifically turning patients every two hours, performs colostomy irrigations, gastrostomy feeding and irrigation of Foley catheter to maintain patency. Prepares patient & assists in the procedure of peritoneal dialysis. Performs tracheal suctioning and changes inner cannula on tracheostomy and laryngectomy tubes. Uses aseptic and sterile techniques in setting up equipment, i.e., oxygen, Intermittent Positive Pressure Breathing (IPPB). Observes and reports to the nurse signs of autonomic dysreflexia, dyspnea, cyanosis, anxiety, bleeding and other complications. Performs a range of diagnostic support duties, graphs vital sings, collects and labels specimens for laboratory, take specimen to labs. Performs electrocardiograms. Assembles & prepares equipment for procedures and effectively assists the nurse or doctor with dressings, infusions, blood work, spinal tap, bone marrow, traction set-ups and care of patients after diagnostic & specialized procedures, hypothermia, etc. Understands the patient's condition and medical treatment in order to be able to observe and report significant changes that require action by the nurse or physician. Makes gross & subtle visual observations of changes in patient's condition and keeps the treatment team informed. Takes emergency measures, calls for the nurse and/or physician and assists them with resuscitation procedures in cardiac or respiratory arrest. Initiates basic health teaching and reinforces instructions which were previously provided to the patient by the nurse or doctor. Example - postoperatively assists and instructs patient on how to keep the lungs clear, i.e., proper use of equipment & appropriate activity level, etc. Maintains a therapeutic physical and emotional environment by assuring proper lighting, ventilation, quiet, & promoting a calm, supportive relationship. Observes safety, sanitary & fire regulations and eliminates hazards to avoid injury or accident. Maintain clutter free environment, which include and not limited to patients' bedside Maintains prescribed precautions for patients with communicable diseases. Initiates appropriate precautions for patients, e.g., respiratory patients, hepatitis patients, etc. Takes inventory and assists in maintaining supply stock levels. Observes & reports breakage and loss of equipment. Check and document temperature log for refrigerators Serves as a role model to peers & preceptor to new employees in performing proper techniques, basic nursing procedures, and following prescribed nursing principles. Records observations and treatments of patients' physical and emotional progress & treatments on patients' records according to approved format. Makes pertinent observations during transportation of patients during recreation trips & guards against exposure to temperature change & seek medical assistance for patients ASAP during emergency situations. Demonstrate respect and courtesy to patients and colleagues Assist with orientation of new employee Maintain safety at all times Report to charge nurse, follow instructions, & document care provided in CPRS Adhere to infection control protocol which include & not limited to the use of PPE between patients, not wearing gowns or gloves in the hallway, proper hand hygiene, not eating in the nurses station or hallways. Work Schedule: 3:30pm to Midnight, w/ rotation as needed, OR 7:30am to 4:00pm w/rotation as needed. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
