Nursing Assistant-Escort
About the role
This Nursing Assistant (Escort) position is located at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center within Nursing – Nursing – Perioperative. The NA Escort is responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, and residents in the outpatient and inpatient care units.
Qualifications
Citizenship: United States citizenship required. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
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.
Grandfathering Provision: 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).
Basic Requirements (one of the following)
- Six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
- One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
- Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a NA
Grade Determinations
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.
GS-03 NA (Entry Level)- None beyond the basic requirements
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 human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments.
Education: Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a field appropriate to the specialization (e.g., psychology, psychiatric, or operating room technicians).
Demonstrated 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' 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: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities directly related to the specific assignment.
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.
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
- Ability to serve 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 (e.g., recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, assisting with behavior crisis)
Preferred Experience
- Surgical experience
- Transport through facility
- Daily living activities
- Post-op care
Physical Requirements
- Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
- Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing
- Transferring patients and objects may be required
- Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials; may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
- Occasional exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
- Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs
- Must complete annual Employee Health requirements (e.g., annual TB screening or testing) as a condition of employment
- Physical requirements consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019
Responsibilities
- Responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, and residents in the outpatient and inpatient care units
- Responsible for the delivery of patient care and services under the direction of a Registered Nurse, Advance Practice Nurse, or MD/DO
- Transports patients who do not require a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to transport because of their acuity category
- Assist the RN, physician, or other qualified medical personnel in the transport of acute patients
- Assist Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing/medical staff with patient transport but will not transport this category of patient without the above staff
- Provide assistance to psychiatric nursing or medical staff with patient transport
- Provide necessary patient, specimen, and when possible, non-patient transportation (such as medications — excluding Class II or III narcotics — patient records, and x-rays) in a safe, prompt, and efficient manner throughout the Medical Center
Schedule
Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–4:30 pm. Telework: Not available. This is not a virtual position.