Nursing Assistant (Clinical Operations Support Team)

Veterans Health Administration • Loma Linda, CA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Clinical Operations Support NA (Nursing Assistant) role balances core service line responsibilities with critical, facility-wide surge capacity. In addition to executing standard daily duties within the Clinical Operations Support Team (COST) framework-such as departmental workflow coordination, basic patient care, and standard operational logistics-these professionals are specifically equipped to mitigate systemic staffing shortages. When operational demands spike, they seamlessly transition to augment acute care floors and the Emergency Department (ED), ensuring care continuity and safety across high-acuity zones. They assume direct responsibility for gurney-bound patient transports, managing complex intrahospital transfers between departments while upholding strict patient safety and mobility protocols. Ultimately, this enhanced scope allows the NA to serve as a versatile, cross-functional resource capable of optimizing hospital throughput and supporting clinical teams wherever the need is most critical.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Tentatively selected applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation.
• Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant.
• Proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Less than one year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field, performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR, Education. Successful completion of high school diploma or a GED.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to properly use equipment, materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals.
• One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital, long term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
• Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example, recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.

Nice To Haves

• ED preferred
• Previous EMT experience
• Field experience as military medic
• Certified nursing assistant in good standing

Responsibilities

• Execute standard daily duties within the Clinical Operations Support Team (COST) framework.
• Perform departmental workflow coordination.
• Provide basic patient care.
• Manage standard operational logistics.
• Mitigate systemic staffing shortages.
• Augment acute care floors and the Emergency Department (ED) during operational demand spikes.
• Ensure care continuity and safety across high-acuity zones.
• Assume direct responsibility for gurney-bound patient transports.
• Manage complex intrahospital transfers between departments.
• Uphold strict patient safety and mobility protocols.
• Optimize hospital throughput.
• Support clinical teams wherever the need is most critical.
• Utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings.
• Maintain a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others.
• Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations.
• Report patient observations to the RN and/or other members of the treatment team.
• Set up patient care related equipment.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies.
• Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Safeguard the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature.
• Use proper safety practices.
• Utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures.
• Complete all mandatory training within appropriate timelines.
• Actively participate in annual competency assessment and validation.
• Perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for personal hygiene, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative aspects of care under close supervision.
• Operation of Government vehicles including non-emergent and emergent ambulances.
• Fall prevention activities.
• Flu documentation assist.
• Vaccine and patient documentation duties.
• 1:1 direct observation care.
• Discharge lounge duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

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