Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

16h • Onsite

About The Position

This Nursing Assistant position is in Nursing Service, Community Living Center (CLC), at the Northport VA Medical Center. The role provides direct patient care under close supervision and follows established policies, procedures, and standards of care. Nursing Assistants support Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, rehabilitation, and wellness under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider, and work as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote quality, patient-centered care.

The vacancy may be filled at GS-3 through GS-5; GS-5 is the full performance level. The work schedule is a 12-hour day or night shift, with weekends and holidays required. The position is permanent, not virtual, and telework is unavailable. The position requires proficiency in spoken and written English, U.S. citizenship, and compliance with applicable pre-employment, security, physical evaluation, and vaccination requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when recruiting qualified citizens is not possible under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic qualification through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year.
• For GS-4 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills; or two years of post-high-school education in an appropriate related field. GS-4 candidates must demonstrate the specified patient-care, observation and referral, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5 consideration, meet one of the following: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities; or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of healthcare-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree. GS-5 candidates must demonstrate the specified nursing-care, communication and precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Pass required pre-employment screening, including background/security investigation and physical evaluation or examination; applicants selected for testing-designated VA positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Complete the online onboarding process and all application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care under close supervision and follow established policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Assist Veterans with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, toileting, and mobility.
• Observe, report, and document changes in Veterans’ condition, behavior, and functional status to appropriate healthcare team members.
• Refer questions, concerns, and issues beyond assigned responsibilities to supervisors, higher-graded Nursing Assistants, or other healthcare professionals.
• Support Veteran treatment plans, recovery, rehabilitation, and overall wellness under the direction of a licensed healthcare provider.
• Obtain and record vital signs and other assigned patient care data according to established procedures.
• Use glucose monitoring equipment to obtain and document blood glucose readings for assigned Veterans.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of patient care activities in the electronic health record.
• Establish and maintain positive therapeutic relationships with Veterans, families, and significant others through effective communication and respect for human dignity.
• Use observation skills to collect, report, and record patient or resident information and promptly communicate significant findings to the healthcare team.
• Help maintain a safe, clean, and therapeutic environment for Veterans, staff, and visitors.
• Participate as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to promote quality patient-centered care.
• Demonstrate professionalism, compassion, and respect in interactions with Veterans, families, visitors, and staff.
• Adhere to infection control, safety, and patient privacy requirements while performing assigned duties.
• Perform other assigned duties.

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, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with VA contributions 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: High school or GED