Nursing Assistant- Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

Veterans Health Administration • White City, OR

8h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) works as part of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff in caring for veterans receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care in a Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program. The full performance level is GS-05; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-05.

The NA provides direct and supportive care, monitors veterans’ health and behavior, documents care and changes in condition, and communicates relevant information to nursing staff and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The position also supports veterans’ independence, treatment plans, safety, infection control, and participation in therapeutic and social activities.

The work schedule alternates across two weeks: the first week is Sunday–Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.–6:00 a.m., and Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.; the second week is Sunday–Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.–6:00 a.m. Compressed/flexible scheduling is available. Telework and virtual work are not available.

This is a federal VA position with competitive salary and regular salary increases. Benefits described include paid leave and federal holidays, potential paid parental leave and childcare subsidy subject to eligibility, a federal pension and 401(k) with VA contributions, and federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of general experience; or one year of education above high school with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA training course of less than one year.
• For GS-04 qualification, meet either the specified experience requirement of one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience, or the specified education requirement of two years above high school in relevant coursework, and demonstrate the stated KSAs.
• For GS-05 qualification, meet either the specified experience requirement of one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04, or the specified education requirement of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate the stated KSAs.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide patient/resident care and contribute to nursing care plans and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and report deviations; use equipment and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals, as applicable to the grade.
• For GS-05, demonstrate the ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under RN or LPN/LVN direction, communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Complete required background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and application-document requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification conditions.
• Meet the position’s physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; possible transfer of patients and objects; and possible exposure to infected patients, contaminated materials, isolation protective clothing, and combative patients.
• Be mature, flexible, sensible, and capable of working effectively in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on patient needs.

Responsibilities

• Educate veterans about health conditions, medications, and self-care strategies, and document education and counseling provided.
• Assist with medication reminders and related basic medication-administration processes within scope of practice.
• Provide emotional support, advocate for veterans’ needs, and encourage social engagement and participation in activities and groups.
• Conduct scheduled rounds, location monitoring, searches, and environmental observations; identify and report changes in condition, behavior, or mood, and notify nursing staff or the rehab technician supervisor as appropriate.
• Promote a safe environment by reporting hazards, removing defective equipment, and following infection-control standards.
• Use glucose monitoring machines, report deviations to appropriate healthcare staff, and observe for changes in residents’ conditions within scope of practice.
• Provide direct care to complex veterans, including procedures such as enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, application of braces and prosthetic devices, and intake/output monitoring.
• Measure and document vital signs, including blood pressure, pulse, respirations, temperature, and pulse oximetry.
• Conduct and document EKG measurements when trained and within scope.
• Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through individualized treatment.
• Participate in mass vaccination efforts according to competency, scope, and policy.
• Participate in treatment-planning meetings as needed and provide verbal and written information to the treatment team for care plans.
• Enter resident condition updates into the electronic medical record using appropriate formats.
• Work on small-group activities aligned with residents’ treatment plans and participate in required huddles and team meetings.
• Use equipment such as lift devices to promote self-care and safety; serve as the unit’s safe patient handling liaison.
• Manage patient behavior appropriately, intervene as needed, and request assistance from healthcare team members.
• Communicate with the treatment team, families, and caregivers when necessary.
• Complete required training and competencies, follow applicable policies and procedures, and uphold ethical standards for safe, competent care.

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, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Childcare subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child eligibility, and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and 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 may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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