Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Buffalo, NY

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) learns to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in health care settings including outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center, acute, and sub-acute care at the VA Western New York Healthcare System in Buffalo, New York. The role provides activities of daily living and other care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA assists licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team, learns to perform complex nursing skills, and refers questions or concerns to supervisors, higher-graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, or other health care professionals. The position also includes using a glucose monitoring machine, maintaining therapeutic relationships with patients and families, and beginning to observe, collect, report, and record patient information. The full performance level is GS-05; selection may be at GS-03 through GS-05. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Compressed or flexible scheduling and telework are not authorized. This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, 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 NA knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the NA occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA training program of less than one year. A VA grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• For GS-04, have one year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills, or successfully complete two years of post-high-school education with relevant courses; also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-05, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 with directly related competencies, or complete a four-year post-high-school course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that includes 24 semester hours of health care courses, or possess a bachelor's degree; also demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication, and emergency-response abilities.
• Complete any education used to qualify at an institution or program recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education used toward qualification requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including a physical evaluation or examination, background/security investigation, and (for applicants tentatively selected for testing-designated positions) urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application requirements, provide acceptable identification, and meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated under the terms described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Basic Life Support (BLS) experience or qualification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide activities of daily living and a range of patient or resident care under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Contribute to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness while working under close supervision.
• Assist licensed nursing staff and other care-team members with preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.
• Learn to perform complex nursing care and skills, referring questions or issues to supervisors, higher-graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, or other health care professionals.
• Use a glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veterans.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships by treating patients, families, and significant others with respect and using learned communication skills.
• Observe patients or residents and collect, report, and record observations.
• At GS-05, assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Practical Nurse, and respond to emergent care situations while waiting for assistance.
• At GS-05, assist with coordinating and overseeing the practical orientation experience of new Nursing Assistants as a preceptor.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for 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.
• Potential 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.
• Potential child care subsidy after 60 days for eligible full-time employees, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• 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: No Education Listed