Nursing Assistant (Intermittent)

Veterans Health Administration • Mather AFB, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This intermittent Nursing Assistant position is with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Integrated Service Network 5, Health Services Area 5.2, serving the VA Northern California Health Care System. The Nursing Assistant is a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in caring for patients and residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. Under the direction of a licensed health care provider, the Nursing Assistant performs activities of daily living and provides care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness.

The role includes observing and reporting physical or emotional changes, documenting care and patient responses, monitoring intake and output, assisting with basic and intermediate treatments, and performing nursing procedures within the scope of practice. The Nursing Assistant contributes to care planning and treatment-team discussions and helps maintain a clean, safe environment while following safety and infection-control practices.

The position has various intermittent tours, with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable. The full performance level is GS-05; the vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-05.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with related coursework; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant course of less than one year.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation.
• For GS-4 qualification through experience: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills involving knowledge of human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and basic and intermediate treatments; alternatively, successful completion of two years of post-high-school education in an appropriate related field, along with the listed KSAs.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide a range of patient or resident care and contribute to the nursing care plan and recovery.
• Demonstrate the ability to observe physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Demonstrate the ability to use equipment, materials, and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Demonstrate effective communication with patients or residents, families, and other health professionals.
• For GS-5 qualification through experience: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, with knowledge, skills, and abilities directly related to the assignment; alternatively, a qualifying four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health care-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree, along with the listed KSAs.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients or residents with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• For GS-5, demonstrate oral communication skills and ability to serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with orientation and overseeing or assessing practical experience in a clinical setting.
• For GS-5, demonstrate ability to recognize and respond to emergent patient or resident care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the required online assessment and onboarding process.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program or obtain an approved medical or religious exemption; face masks are required when an exemption is granted.
• Serve a two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of Certified Nursing Assistant experience.
• Inpatient experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff in providing preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.
• Perform activities of daily living and provide care that supports the Veteran’s treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Communicate orally with patients and residents, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel.
• Recognize and respond to emergent care situations, including initiating basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting during behavioral crises while awaiting help.
• Observe physical and emotional status and subtle changes in condition, and report deviations or problems to a supervisor or appropriate health care staff promptly.
• Use equipment and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures, including bladder scans, continuous passive motion devices, blood glucose monitoring, vital signs machines, and specimen collection.
• Obtain glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff; use vital signs equipment, document readings in the medical record, and alert nursing staff to abnormal results.
• Document care provided, observations, and patient responses using appropriate forms and chart formats.
• Monitor and accurately document patient intake and output, reporting deviations in a timely manner.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Verbally provide patient information to the treatment team, participate in resident care-planning meetings, and contribute to completion of the nursing care plan.
• Help maintain a clean and safe patient environment by removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and using proper aseptic technique.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with eligibility depending on position type and whether employment is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed