Nursing Assistant - Compass

Veterans Health Administration • Chillicothe, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant position is located in the Mental Health Service Line at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. As a member of the nursing care team, the Nursing Assistant supports licensed nursing staff in caring for Veterans receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The role involves providing direct care to Veterans with complex needs, observing and reporting changes in physical or emotional condition, documenting care, and performing nursing procedures within the scope of practice and applicable policies.

The position works days with rotating off-tour shifts, weekends, and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available. The full performance level is GS-5; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5. The vacancy is permanent, and recruitment or relocation incentives are not authorized. Employees must meet applicable federal employment and security requirements, complete annual employee-health requirements, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of education above high school with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year. A VA grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-4, meet either one year of Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience performing technical and nursing skills, or two years of related post-high-school education, and demonstrate the specified patient-care, observation and referral, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, meet either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 in directly related assignments, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that includes 24 semester hours of healthcare-related courses, or possession of a bachelor's degree. GS-5 applicants must also demonstrate the specified abilities in nursing care, communication and precepting, and recognizing and responding to emergencies.
• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to tolerate potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; transferring patients and objects may be required.
• Ability to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on patient needs, and meet annual Employee Health requirements such as TB screening or testing.
• Selected applicants must complete applicable background/security investigation, pre-employment requirements, onboarding, and required seasonal influenza vaccination; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-appointment drug testing.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period as specified by the agency.

Nice To Haves

• Mental Health experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care for Veterans with complex needs.
• Observe for subtle changes in residents’ condition, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite.
• Monitor Veterans who may be at risk of harming themselves or others, following established policies and procedures, and refer concerns to the charge nurse or another healthcare professional.
• Document care provided, observations, and patient responses using appropriate tools or forms.
• Respond to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing application, application of braces and prosthetic devices, and monitoring of care.
• Participate actively in treatment planning meetings.
• Remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Assist licensed nursing staff and the care team in providing nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations, intervening while awaiting assistance as appropriate.
• At GS-5, serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with orientation and overseeing or assessing their practical experience in a clinical setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate within the grade may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special 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.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income, eligible-child, cost, and monthly-limit criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• 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