Nursing Assistant III - CONTINUOUS

The Massachusetts Veterans Home (MVH) at Holyoke is seeking experienced and collaborative professionals for the role of Lead CNA (Nursing Assistant III).  The incumbents for this position are pivotal in supporting nursing staff with non-clinical and essential patient care under the direction of the RNs and LPNs. The role is specifically tailored to cater to the needs of adult and elderly veterans, who are predominantly male and may suffer from a wide range of chronic physical, psychological and emotional disabilities and communicable diseases.  Key aspects of care involve addressing psychiatric conditions, depression, advanced dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and accompanying behavioral issues. CNAs in this role must exhibit a deep sense of compassion and flexibility, adeptly meeting the unique and varied needs of veterans to ensure their comfort, well-being and the provision of personalized care. Job duties and responsibilities are various and may include related tasks as necessary.

You must have at least 1 year of supervisory experience in a hospital, clinic or medical facility, the major duties of which included providing nursing care, medical and/or paramedical services to clients/patients.

Schedule:

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) position. Openings on all shifts (7:00am-3:30pm, 3:00-11:30pm, and 11:15pm-7:15am) with an alternating weekend and holiday schedule. 

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provides and documents bedside care to veterans based on their plan of care, their unique physical, psychosocial, emotional and age-specific needs, provides input into the interdisciplinary process and reports outcome of care.
• Provides daily patient care including bed/tub/bath care, mouth care, skin care, foot care, incontinent care, catheter care, vital signs, weights and ADLs.
• Transfers, ambulate, maintains good positioning and body alignment, performs passive range of motion exercise.
• Follows each individual veterans' bowel/bladder program.
• Reports and documents all patient care activities, particularly any changes in patient's condition, skin, behavior, or habits.
• Demonstrates effective problem solving by utilizing good judgement and interpersonal skills to promote a professional, safe and productive environment.
• Reports complaints by patients or family members to supervisors.
• Responds to emergencies.
• Transports patients to the dining room and other activities.
• May be required to accompany veterans to medical appointments off the Veterans Home campus.
• Maintains competencies in all aspects of patient care, nursing assistant documentation, procedures, equipment, etc. to ensure the delivery of safe patient care and compliance with long term care regulatory standards.
• Communicates with other departments. Participates in and shares information through inter-shift reports and gives input at staff meetings.
• Skilled in the use of computers, email, shared network folders and contemporary nursing software including Electronic Medical Record (EMR) and others as required for completion of work assignments.
• Assists with recreational activities.
• Provides support and guidance to CNA I's and CNA II's, collaborating across shifts to ensure policies, procedures, and standards of care are appropriately and consistently followed. 
• Facilitates the scheduling of staff for in-services and training.
• Participates in interview panels for selected applicants for employment; completes interview grading forms.
• Completes assigned audits related to CNA documentation as assigned and submits results to designated leaders.
• Assists with orientation of newly hired CNAs to ensure practice is consistent with policies, procedures and standards of care; helps to create and maintain daily assignment sheets.
• Support and participate in the IDC process.
• Conduct regular environmental audits and complete monthly unit status reports.
• Attend monthly CNA III and other related meetings.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications Acquired on the Job:

• Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing assigned activities.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned activities.
• Ability to achieve competency in taking and recording vital signs with accuracy, including parameters for reporting abnormal results to supervisors.
• Maintain CPR certification

Preferred Qualifications:

·    Certification in dementia, hospice or other relevant discipline;

·    Ability to establish effective relationships with individuals, families, and team members;

·    Demonstrated attention to detail with readiness to respond appropriately when needed;

·    Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information

Agency Mission:

The Massachusetts Veterans Home (MVH) at Holyoke is a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. MVH at Holyoke is staffed by approximately 330+ administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

Learn more about our important work: http://www.mass.gov/hly

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, paraprofessional or technical experience in a hospital, clinic or medical facility, the major duties of which included providing nursing care, medical and/or paramedical services to clients/patients, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below. 

Substitutions: 

I. An Associate's degree or higher with a major in medical technology, medical assistant, nursing, nurse education or medicine may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.  No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.*

II. Registration as a Certified Medical Assistant by the American Association of Medical Assistants may be substituted for one year of the required experience. 

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. 

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

·         CNA Certification from an accredited Certified Nursing Assistant program.

·         CPR Certification from an American Heart Association compliant program.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.