Nursing Assistant (Medical Oncology)

Summary

This position is located in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System under Patient Care Services, Inpatient Nursing, Acute Care. The purpose of this position is to provide a range of direct patient care in collaboration with the inpatient nursing team. The incumbent will serve as a member of the nursing team. All work is reviewed by a Registered Nurse (RN).

Duties

Major duties include but are not limited to: Performs and fulfills a variety of nursing care tasks in support of safe and effective patient care with the appropriate level of training. All tasks, assignments, and activities will be under the direction, guidance, and supervision of a RN. While in this role the incumbent: 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. Reports all patient critical glucose measurements immediately to nurse responsible for patient's care. Assists RN, when indicated, by placing patients on telemetry monitoring. Verifies proper patient and placement with telemetry technician. Changes telemetry batteries in Philips IntelliVue MX40 as requested by RN or telemetry technician. Initiates cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or activates Code Blue in accordance with established medical center policy for patients found unresponsive and/or not breathing. Monitors patient's compliance and use of oxygen with guidance from the RN to ensure adequate perfusion and proper flow settings. Performs oral suctioning on selected patients as directed by the RN. Participates in patient care conferences and contributes to the formulation of nursing care plans. Other related duties, as assigned. Work Schedule: To Be Determined Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-51162-A, 554-51163-A, & 554-51164-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Be a citizen of the United States. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed. Experience, Education or Training. [Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant (NA);] OR, One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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 Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 Experience. One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant (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, (b) 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 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). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 w