Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:

• Contributes to a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff by maintaining clean equipment, patient's rooms and ward areas.
• Cares for patients with communicable diseases for which various isolations precautions may be required. Don the appropriate PPE based on the type of isolation precaution.
• Uses sterile techniques with treatments and simple dressings that do not require packing, irrigation, debridement, or medications. Wrap stumps, irrigates and stabilizes ostomies, changes ostomy appliances and performs bowel and bladder training as outlined by treatment plan.
• Observes PIV/CVC for redness, swelling, or pain and reports findings to RN.
• Provides urinary/catheter care to include perineal hygiene and the application of external catheters.
• Assists with the rehabilitation of patients and in the prevention of deformities by correct position and assisting with activities of daily living to include ambulation. Performs range of motion activities.
• Measures and records vital signs to include temperature, pulse, respirations, blood pressure and measuring height and weight. Measures and records intake and output. Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patients' condition and responds appropriately. Self-directed in seeking out RN, Lead Nurse, or Charge Nurse to report patient-related information.
• Observes and reports patient complaints, results of treatments performed, change in patient's condition, behavior and/or attitude.
• Observes and reports both obvious and subtle changes in patient's physical condition or emotional status, e.g. signs of post-operative shock, hemorrhage, cyanosis, respiratory distress, aspiration of mucous, infiltration of IV, or acute behavior changes or unusual behavior.
• Utilizes the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and Clinicomp/Essentris per policy. Documentation is consistent, accurate, concise, and timely.
• Applies safety devices as directed to include soft ankle and wrist restraints, Twice-as-Tough Restraints and padded side rails. Reports abusive, aggressive, threatening behaviors and documents such actions via Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS). At the RN's direction, initiates Code Yellow as necessary.
• Assists with the admission, discharge, and transfer of patients according to medical center or nursing service policies. Responsible for timely implementation of orders and nursing interventions.
• Adheres to Safe Patient Handling practices for safe body mechanics, use of mechanical devices. Uses sound judgement when requesting assistance from other staff when moving, lifting, or turning patients to prevent injury to patient, self or others.
• Assists in supervising patients in transfer activities, personal hygiene, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and in preventative and rehabilitative aspects of care.
• Follows ECHCS and nursing service policies and procedures for accurately documenting personal belongings and securing patients' belongings to include valuables and prosthetic devices such as dentures, hearing aids, eyes, and limbs.
• Performs bladders scans, EKGs, and collects urine, sputum, MRSA Nares or stool specimens per the RN's direction.

Work Schedule: 0700-1930 / 1900-0730, Variable, Holidays and weekends.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases when setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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)

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 51164A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized