Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant provides clinical support to adult and geriatric Veterans in the Community Living Center under the direction of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. The role requires respect for Veterans’ rights and awareness of abuse prevention and care practices for frail and debilitated older adults. The full-performance level is GS-5, with the actual selection grade ranging from GS-3 to GS-5; duties and supervision vary by grade.

The Nursing Assistant supports daily living and restorative care, performs assigned treatments and routine procedures, assists with admissions, transfers, and discharges, and contributes to individualized care planning with the nursing and interdisciplinary teams. The position also supports resident safety, activities, privacy, documentation, and the cleanliness and maintenance of equipment.

Work schedules vary by location and may be 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m.–12:00 a.m., or 11:30 p.m.–8:00 a.m. in Seattle; or 6:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m.–10:30 p.m., or 10:00 p.m.–6:30 a.m. in Tacoma. Weekends off rotate. Compressed or flexible schedules are available. Telework and virtual work are not available.

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 one of the basic experience or education pathways: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire nursing-assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related nursing-assistant training program of less than one year.
• For GS-4, meet either the experience pathway of one year of specialized nursing-assistant or other medical-field experience involving relevant technical and nursing skills, or the education pathway of two years of post-high-school study in a relevant field; and demonstrate the specified patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, meet either one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 that demonstrates assignment-related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care courses, or possession of a bachelor’s degree; and demonstrate the specified nursing-care, communication and precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Complete required background and security investigation, onboarding, and pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation and drug screening when applicable.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.
• Any qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript to receive credit.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of experience working in a nursing home.

Responsibilities

• Provide care that protects Veterans from abuse and upholds their rights, privacy, and dignity.
• Assist Veterans with activities of daily living and physical functioning, promoting independence; at the GS-5 level, mentor other nursing assistants.
• Follow restorative plans of care, including range-of-motion exercises, turning, positioning, ambulation, and other prescribed restorative procedures.
• Under registered nurse supervision and when assigned, provide catheter care, oral-pharyngeal and tracheostomy suctioning, and care for uncomplicated tracheostomies that are at least five days old.
• Use aseptic technique and change clean dressings.
• Maintain and monitor oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan.
• Apply binders, splints, supportive devices, braces, and other simple positioning devices; apply hot and cold packs; and prepare Veterans for tests, examinations, and treatments.
• Collect and label laboratory specimens correctly and ensure their timely transport.
• Apply ointments, shampoos, and creams considered medications under the Unlicensed Assistive Personnel policy, and mentor fellow CNAs in medication administration per policy.
• Participate in activities and quality-of-care initiatives, including fall intervention and pressure-sore prevention.
• Participate in nursing care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings; report problems and contribute to individualized care and discharge planning.
• Clean and maintain equipment independently or as directed by the RN or LPN.
• Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers; orient new residents to their rooms and safety features; and check in and document valuables.
• Provide one-to-one observation when directed for assaultive or ill residents and follow facility policy related to the Veteran’s condition or illness.
• Assist with labeling, preparing for transport, laundering, and distributing residents’ personal clothing.
• Initiate CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and first aid in accordance with Medical Center policy.
• Escort Veterans safely and promptly to and from the Community Living Center for appointments and recreational therapy.
• Implement leisure and diversional activities that promote meaningful use of time, independence, positive self-esteem, and relaxation.
• Accurately document treatments and care in the Veteran’s or resident’s medical record.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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 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 income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• A higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive (sign-on bonus) may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level