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Veterans Health Administration • Marion, IL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Marion VA Health Care System is hiring three full-time Nursing Assistants for the Medical/Surgical Unit in Nursing Service in Marion, Illinois. The Nursing Assistant is an important member of a nursing team caring for acutely ill Veterans with complex and critical health issues that require ongoing monitoring and intervention. The role operates under RN supervision and includes training in cardiac monitoring and tasks associated with the telemetry system.

The position is offered at GS-3 through GS-5, with GS-5 as the full-performance level. The selected grade depends on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. Nursing Assistants provide care under the direction of licensed nursing staff and work closely with other members of the care team.

The work schedule is primarily either a 12-hour night shift (7:30 p.m.–8:00 a.m.) or a 12-hour day shift (7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.), with weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled. Employees work six 12-hour shifts and one eight-hour shift per pay period. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. The position is not telework or virtual.

Applicants must hold current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification that includes Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training from the American Heart Association or Military Treatment Training Network. The position requires a pre-employment physical evaluation and participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program. Physical duties may include prolonged standing and walking, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, and kneeling while providing direct patient care and following safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

The VA describes a benefits package that includes competitive salary with regular increases; 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual and sick leave and 11 paid federal holidays; paid parental leave after 12 months of employment; potential childcare subsidy eligibility; a traditional federal pension and federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%; and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Current BLS certification that includes AED training from the American Heart Association or Military Treatment Training Network; proof is required before employment.
• Meet the basic experience, education, or training qualification through one of the following: six months of general experience; one year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year. The stated grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-4 qualification, meet the stated specialized-experience or education pathway and demonstrate the required patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5 qualification, meet the stated experience or education pathway and demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care, communicate with patients and care teams, support new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet pre-employment screening and onboarding conditions, including any required urinalysis, background/security investigation, identity and application-document requirements, and a one- or two-year trial period.
• Meet the physical demands of direct patient care, which may include long periods of walking, standing, and sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling, and use safe patient-handling and mobility protocols.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of Nursing Assistant experience.
• One year of acute-care Nursing Assistant experience.
• Telemetry training.
• BLS certification (also required for the position).

Responsibilities

• Take and record patients’ vital signs.
• Provide skin care treatments, including cleansing baths and shampoos, to help prevent complications and promote healing.
• Assist with oral care and hygiene, including denture maintenance.
• Ensure rooms are correctly arranged and terminal rooms are clean and suitable for each reusable medical device.
• Assist patients with bedpans and urinals; apply external catheters and ensure patency or drainage; assist with bowel and bladder training; and support care for established, uncomplicated ostomies.
• Assist patients with feeding or feed patients who cannot feed themselves; monitor and document intake and output, excluding totals from intravenous and tube feeding.
• May assist an RN with bolus tube feedings through G-tubes, J-tubes, or GJ-tubes by positioning the patient and passing supplies.
• Reposition patients using appropriate supportive and comfort devices.
• Assist or facilitate patient transfers and activities, including ambulation and transfers between a stretcher or wheelchair and a bed.
• Accompany patients to tests as required.
• Assist with assembling equipment for sterile procedures and with administering oxygen and setting up vacuum or suction systems.
• Report observations of patients’ physical, mental, and emotional status during health team conferences.
• Assist with diagnostic examinations by positioning and draping patients and passing instruments and supplies.
• Communicate with the team to support patient safety and provide effective handoff communication to incoming Nursing Assistants.
• Monitor cardiac rhythms using the telemetry system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with a child’s birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment for eligible full-time employees and families meeting the stated income and eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed