Nursing Assistant - Safety Observation Technician

Summary

At the VA Maryland Health Care System, our health care teams are deeply experienced and guided by the needs of Veterans, their families, and caregivers. The Nursing Assistant (NA) will provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. **This position is located at the Baltimore, MD VA Medical Center.

Duties

**This position is open ONLY to full time and permanent employees of the Baltimore, MD VA Medical Center** The Safety Observation Technician (SOT) is under the supervision of the NOD (Nursing Officer of the Day), who directly reports to the Nurse Manager (NM) of Nursing Operations for NOD and Care Coordination Integrated Case Management (CC-ICM). The incumbent will observe the patient for safety, areas of comfort, and requests of the patient. The Safety Observation Technician will work 24/7. He/she will maintain equipment and supplies, check for defects, and notify supervisor when equipment is not functioning. The incumbent will remove defective equipment; report hazards, observe safety regulations, adheres to infection control policies, and utilize proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. He/she will participate in the quality improvement program by collecting data specific to patient safety monitoring i.e., validation of alarms, confirmation that patient has been correctly placed on Care View Tele-Sitter monitor and assists with data analysis and interpretation as requested. Additional duties include, but are not limited to: The incumbent SOT will be required to pass competency prior to assuming the role, and then every 6 months thereafter. Auditory: must be able to hear to clearly communicate with others and use communication devices such as telephones, must be able to hear patients, alarms, call bells, etc. Accountability will be monitored through direct observations; achievement of team service goals including satisfaction, quality, and financial outcomes; and performance improvement activities. Demonstrates population-specific competencies (e.g., age-specific, cultural sensitivity, patient-centered communication, and fall risk Veterans) in performance of role. Provide a timely shift report to oncoming SOT to review observed behaviors, communicate potential safety risks, and any activation of the STAT Alarm System. Activation of STAT Safety Alert Alarm when needed. Informs NOD supervisor and primary nurse of safety risk trends. Informs NOD, who in turn informs the Nurse Manager of both the unit and their direct NM of safety risk trends. Communicates with direct patient care team potential safety risks. Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdfTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Day and Evenings available, with rotating nights and weekends. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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). Functional Statement #: 512-25372-F, 512-24245-F, 512-24267-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.

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. 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 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 (Entry Level) 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 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).In addition, 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 (Full Performance Level) Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent