Nursing Assistant (Acute Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

17h • Onsite

About The Position

This is an open continuous announcement for a Nursing Assistant on inpatient acute care units. The announcement remains open until November 30, 2026, or until all positions are filled. The first referral cutoff is November 2, 2026; applications received afterward may be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies arise. The full-performance level is GS-5, and the selected grade may range from GS-3 to GS-5. Duties at GS-3 and GS-4 differ in complexity and level of supervision.

The Nursing Assistant provides activities-of-daily-living support and general nursing care to Veteran patients, helping them regain the highest level of independence possible or remain comfortable toward the end of life. The role involves following nursing and medical center procedures, respecting patient rights and privacy, contributing to a safe therapeutic environment, and reporting patient information and changes to the RN and other care staff. The position is a permanent, non-remote role with a night schedule and rotating weekends.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic experience, education, or training requirement: six months of general experience; one year of above-high-school education with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant course of study or program of less than one year, as described for GS-3 qualification.
• For GS-4, one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing relevant technical and nursing skills; or two years of above-high-school education in an accredited institution with related coursework. GS-4 candidates must also demonstrate the stated patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, 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 health-care-related courses, or a bachelor's degree. GS-5 candidates must demonstrate the stated nursing-care, communication and precepting, and emergent-care abilities.
• Ability to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies to provide care appropriate to assigned patients and current skill level.
• Knowledge of basic human body structure, function, diseases, and developmental needs from young adulthood through geriatrics.
• Knowledge and skill in aseptic techniques, patient transfers, and safe body mechanics.
• Knowledge of special dietary needs, including assistance for patients who cannot chew or feed themselves.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation, background/security investigation, and required pre-employment drug screening; selected candidates must complete online onboarding and provide acceptable identification.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete application requirements stated in the announcement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after that period.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires the specified equivalency documentation.

Responsibilities

• Participate in quality-of-care activities, including fall and pressure-sore prevention.
• Ensure patients wear the correct identification bracelet and maintain patient and staff privacy.
• Keep required education current, including TMS, BLS, HIPAA, and Privacy training.
• Supervise patients and mentor other Nursing Assistants in personal hygiene, rest, and eating.
• Feed and bathe patients who need assistance; help them get in and out of bed and use mobility devices.
• Instruct and assist patients in skills needed for independence in activities of daily living.
• Maintain a safe, clean, uncluttered, and therapeutic environment and follow Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures.
• Provide care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions.
• Perform and mentor other Nursing Assistants in general nursing duties, including measuring and recording vital signs, performing EKGs, measuring weight and height, tracking intake and output, providing post-mortem care, applying hot or cold packs, changing clean or sterile dressings, applying external catheters, and providing catheter care.
• Maintain oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, including operating and managing oxygen tanks.
• Perform or instruct patients in range-of-motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures.
• Prepare patients for tests, examinations, treatments, and surgery.
• Collect and label urine, sputum, stool, and other specimens for laboratory examination.
• Use safe body mechanics and appropriate patient-transfer procedures.
• Observe and report patients' physical and mental status and unusual changes to the RN; relay information obtained from patients or family members and participate in care-plan development.
• Assist with patient admission, discharge, and transfer.
• Communicate and record pertinent information for nursing and medical staff.

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.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may receive a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income, child-eligibility, and monthly maximum limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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