Nursing Assistant (Acute Care Team)

Summary This Nursing Assistant is a member of the Acute Care Team, assisting providers, nursing leadership team, registered nurses, and other team members. The NA demonstrates the knowledge and ability to provide care to Veteran patients within the Acute Care Service Line. Patients may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions, diminished cognitive functioning, including dementia, mild to severe disability, or receiving palliative or hospice care. Learn more about this agency Duties The duties listed are the GS-5 Full Performance Level, GS-3 and GS-4 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. The NA on the inpatient acute care units develop their practice and adhere to a high level of respect and knowledge of Veteran patient rights and responsibilities. The NAs practice includes all activities of daily living, and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the Veteran patient to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life. Participate in activities and actions to improve the quality of care for Veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention. Ensure the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet. Adhere to responsibility of timely maintenance of all education required, including TMS, BLS, HIPAA, and Privacy training. Supervise patients and mentor other NAs in personal hygiene, rest, and eating. Feed and bathe patients who require assistance. patients in and out of bed, and with mobile devices. Instruct and assist patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living. Contribute to a safe, clean, clutter-free, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Follow Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Provide care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions. Maintain privacy of patients and staff. Perform and mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs, EKGs, weight, height, intake and output, post-mortem care, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, change clean or sterile dressings, apply external catheters, and catheter care. Maintain oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks. Perform or instruct patients in learning range of motion exercise, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures. Prepare patients for tests, examinations, treatments, and for surgery. Collect and label specimens such as urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory examinations. Perform blood glucose tests as appropriate. Clean and maintain equipment with appropriate RME disinfectant. Initiate Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiate other emergency procedures as necessary, including fire and disaster. Demonstrate safe body mechanics. Observe and report patient physical and mental status, report unusual changes to the RN. Report information obtained from patients or family and participate in developing a plan of care. Assist with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients. Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients. Knowledge of basic human body structure, function, diseases, and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to current level. Knowledge of developmental needs (cognitive, emotional, physical, age related) of the young adult to the geriatric age category. Knowledge and skill of aseptic techniques. Demonstrate knowledge of proper body mechanics and skill in patient transfer procedures and other items requiring resident transfer or movement. Knowledge of special dietary needs, (i.e., patient unable to chew food for lack of teeth or a patient who is unable to feed self). Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Nightshift, 7:30pm to 8:00am / 11:30pm to 8:00am with rotating weekends. Days to be determined. Recruitment / Relocation Incentive: Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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). 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 #: 000000. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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 or Education or Training. 1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA. OR 2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. OR 3) 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. 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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Creditable Experience. 1) Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. 2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. 3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 NA (Entry Level). Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 NA. 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: 1. Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. 2. Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. 3. 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. 4. Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals. GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level). Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below. OR 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. AND Demonstrated KSAs. 1. 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. 2. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel. This includes serving 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. 3. Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: The work requires heavy lifting (over 45 pounds); straight pulling (up to 6 hours); pushing (up to 2 hours); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 6 hours); standing (up to 2 hours); repeated bending (up to 6 hours); the ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid may be permitted); mental and emotional stability, and visual acuity correctable to 20/30. Education IMPORTANT: If basing your qualifications on education, you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the degree or program is required and must include the name of the school, your name, date conferred or completed, and degree or certificate type. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore, the uploaded copy must be legible. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.