Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Danville, IL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides specialized personal nursing care to residents whose care may be affected by psychiatric, medical, and geriatric conditions. Performs multi-step treatments and procedures requiring knowledge of residents’ conditions, medical treatment, and treatment effects. The role contributes to residents’ treatment plans and recovery through personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatments, charting, and resident teaching. Care responsibilities extend across a 24-hour, seven-day service environment and support the work of other services. The position requires recognizing changing resident needs, prioritizing assigned tasks, selecting appropriate equipment and procedures, and documenting care accurately. Practice settings may include Acute Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health.

The work schedule is 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with rotating weekends, days, and holidays. The full performance level is GS-5; selection may be at GS-3 through GS-5. The position is not virtual, and telework is not authorized. Recruitment or relocation incentives and permanent change-of-station assistance are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic education or experience pathways: six months of general experience; one year of post-high-school education with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized NA-related training course of less than one year.
• For GS-4 consideration, meet one of the stated pathways: one year of specialized NA or other medical-field experience performing relevant technical and nursing skills; or two years of post-high-school education with related courses. GS-4 candidates must demonstrate the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities in resident care, observation and timely referral, equipment use for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures, and communication.
• For GS-5 consideration, meet one of the stated pathways: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4; or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor's degree. GS-5 candidates must demonstrate the listed abilities in nursing care, oral communication, precepting, and emergency response.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and complete annual employee-health requirements, such as TB screening or testing.
• Be subject to background and security investigation, required drug testing for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as assigned.
• Be capable of working effectively in stressful situations, shifting priorities according to resident needs, and interacting appropriately with residents who may be combative due to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• Meet the position’s physical demands, including potentially long periods of walking, standing, and sitting; protective clothing may be required when exposed to infected patients or contaminated materials.
• May be required to drive and/or ride in GSA vehicles.

Responsibilities

• Provide resident-specific care to residents of varying ages and lifestyles, adapting interactions to individual needs.
• Recognize differences between normal aging and pathological changes, including physical and psychological effects of aging.
• Monitor oxygen flow and change oxygen tanks; identify the need for and administer oxygen by mask or cannula as directed by a professional nurse.
• Identify the need for and perform oral suctioning, and monitor residents at risk of airway compromise or obstruction.
• Recognize emergencies and take appropriate action, including CPR and choking response; maintain First Aid training.
• Provide personal care, including bed baths, showers, shampooing, oral hygiene, shaving, skin and nail care, grooming, dressing, and undressing.
• Discuss care options with residents when possible and encourage them to take responsibility for self-care.
• Observe, report, and document resident behavior associated with pain; provide emotional support and comfort measures.
• Accompany residents to meals and assist with or feed them according to individual and nutritional needs.
• Supervise residents in dining areas for diet compliance, behavior, and potential emergencies.
• Assist residents with positioning, turning, ambulating, and transferring, adapting techniques to their conditions.
• Prioritize assigned duties, select appropriate equipment and treatment procedures, and document changes in residents’ medical conditions and care accurately.
• Contribute to nursing care plans and resident recovery; communicate relevant observations and concerns to supervisors and the care team.
• At the GS-5 level, assist with orientation and practical experience assessment for new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor.
• Respond to emergent resident-care situations while awaiting assistance, such as basic life support needs, bleeding, or behavioral crises.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency 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.
• 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 for qualifying birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Potential childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements; subsidy may cover up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, up to $416.66 monthly.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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