Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Detroit, MI

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center is seeking highly qualified, motivated Nursing Assistants for a Unit within Medicine Service at Detroit VAMC. The unit treats adult and geriatric veterans with acute conditions like endocrine, oncology, cardiology, respiratory, renal, post-op, gastroenterology, and infectious diseases. Nursing Assistants must demonstrate technical skills and operate specialized therapeutic and life support equipment.

Requirements

• 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 identification 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.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR , One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR , 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.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice.
• To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means.
• 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.
• None beyond the basic requirements for GS-3.
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervise.
• 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).
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• 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.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
• 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 in subparagraph (c) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Straight pulling (4 hours), Pushing (4 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Both hands required, Walking (8-12 hours), Standing (8-12 hours), Repeated bending (8 hours), Both legs required, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Transferring patients & objects may be required, Do protective clothing in isolation situation or operative/ invasive procedures, May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium.
• This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Transferring patients and objects may be required.
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures.
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• The NA must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• At least 2 years of inpatient experience.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machines to receive glucose readings for veterans and refers any deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.
• Provides direct care for complex veterans.
• Observes subtle changes in residents' conditions, such as behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc., and takes appropriate action within the NA's assigned role.
• Documents care provided, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel.
• Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitors and documents patient intake and output, reporting deviations timely and accurately.
• Performs nursing procedures within the scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for veterans, including but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and the application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to their treatment plans.
• Recognizes residents' autonomy and promotes independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings.
• Utilizes equipment to promote veterans' self-care, such as lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in veterans'/residents' plans of care and participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning.
• Enters information about residents' conditions in the chart, using appropriate formats.
• Participates in maintaining a clean and safe environment for the patient/resident.
• Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic techniques in performing duties.
• Serves as the unit's safe patient handling liaison.
• Serves as a preceptor and mentor to other NAs.
• Orients members of the healthcare team to the units as appropriate.
• Functions as a member of the unit-based council.
• Manages patient behavior disruptions by appropriately intervening and requesting assistance from other healthcare members.
• Appropriately initiates basic life support and takes subsequent appropriate actions.

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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED