Nursing Assistant (Inpatient Community Living Center - Long Term Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Bedford, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This full-time Nursing Assistant position is in the Nursing Service, Inpatient Community Living Center – Long Term Care, at the Bedford VA Healthcare Medical Center in Bedford, Massachusetts. The announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. The inpatient community living centers and long-term care units operate 24/7. The position is 40 hours per week, with multiple tours available, potentially including days with rotation, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift assignments may change based on patient and facility needs. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full-performance level is GS-05, and selections may be made at GS-03 through GS-05.

The Nursing Assistant provides direct care to veterans, including veterans with complex care needs, and carries out nursing procedures within the scope of practice and applicable policies. The role involves observing and reporting changes in residents’ physical or emotional conditions, documenting care and clinical information, supporting independence and treatment plans, and contributing to safe, clean, and infection-controlled care environments. The Nursing Assistant also participates in treatment planning, supports and mentors other Nursing Assistants, and responds to patient behavior and emergent care situations.

Employment is in the Excepted Service and is subject to a one- or two-year trial period. The position is covered by a special rate. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station benefits are not authorized. Applicants must meet the applicable education, experience, and grade-level requirements and be proficient in written and spoken English. Selectees are subject to applicable pre-employment screening, background investigation, onboarding, and annual Employee Health requirements, including TB screening or testing and participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy 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 courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course or program of less than one year. A specified grandfathering provision may apply to qualifying current VHA employees.
• For GS-4, meet one of the following: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills; or successful completion of two years of education above high school in a relevant accredited program. GS-4 applicants must also demonstrate the specified abilities in patient care, observation and timely reporting, use of equipment and supplies for basic and intermediate procedures, and communication with patients, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-5, meet one of the following: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4; or successful completion of a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of healthcare-related courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree. GS-5 applicants must demonstrate the specified abilities in nursing care under nursing supervision, oral communication, precepting new Nursing Assistants, and recognizing and responding to emergent care situations.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; ability to perform extended walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; and ability to transfer patients and objects as required.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing.
• Complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a background/security investigation; applicants selected for testing-designated positions are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Provide any required narrative responses to knowledge, skills, and abilities and applicable application documents.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain veterans’ glucose readings and refer deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.
• Provide direct care to veterans with complex needs.
• Observe changes in residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the Nursing Assistant’s assigned role.
• Document care provided, observations, responses, and residents’ conditions using appropriate forms, tools, and chart formats.
• Report patient changes and deviations promptly to appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, and report deviations accurately and promptly.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing changes, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Conduct small-group activities with veterans or residents in accordance with treatment plans.
• Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through respectful, individualized care and appropriate limit setting.
• Participate actively in treatment-planning meetings and contribute patient information to the treatment team and plan of care.
• Use equipment to promote veterans’ self-care, including lift equipment, hydro sound tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment by removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and using proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants and orient healthcare team members to the units as appropriate.
• Function as a member of the unit base counsel.
• Manage and appropriately respond to patient behavior, including requesting assistance from other healthcare staff when needed.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action in emergent situations.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual credit may be available based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed