Nursing Assistant- Inpatient Specialty Care

Veterans Health Administration • Sioux Falls, SD

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Medical/Surgical Unit at the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System. The Nursing Assistant provides coverage to various inpatient clinical areas as assigned and delivers and improves holistic care through collaboration with others. The role includes providing care to patients with multiple geriatric, psychiatric, and/or medical problems, documenting patient observations and condition in approved formats, and responding to patient and visitor concerns. The position also serves as the unit’s safe patient handling liaison and supports the orientation and development of other Nursing Assistants and healthcare team members.

The position is scheduled Sunday through Saturday on day shifts, with 8- and 12-hour shifts and rotating weekends and holidays. Work is scheduled between 6:45 a.m. and 7:15 p.m., with listed schedules of 6:45 a.m.–3:15 p.m. and 10:45 a.m.–7:15 p.m. Telework is unavailable, and the position is not virtual. A pre-employment physical examination or evaluation is required.

The full performance level is GS-5; selections may be made at GS-3 through GS-5. Basic qualifications may be met through six months of general experience, one year of relevant post-high-school education, or an intensive specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year. Higher grades have additional experience or education and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements. Basic Life Support certification is required, with training provided. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, proficient in written and spoken English, and meet other stated employment conditions.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• Meet one basic qualification route: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of relevant education above high school; or completion of an intensive, specialized occupation-related Nursing Assistant training program of less than one year.
• For GS-4, one year of Nursing Assistant or other medical-field experience performing relevant technical and nursing skills, or two years of relevant post-high-school education, plus the stated patient-care, observation, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses or possession of a bachelor’s degree, plus the stated nursing-care, communication, precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; training is provided.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.
• Meet applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, Selective Service registration, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Provide required education or training documentation if relying on education or training to qualify.

Nice To Haves

• Prior work experience or military service may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing care to patients with multiple geriatric, psychiatric, and/or medical problems.
• Perform nursing care activities including taking vital signs, applying braces or splints, collecting culture specimens, assisting with activities of daily living, and monitoring glucose.
• Observe, report, and document patients’ physical and emotional condition, skin condition, vital-sign variations, personal habits, and reactions to illness and treatment.
• Recognize the need for and institute emergency measures, and assist with resuscitation during cardiac or pulmonary arrest.
• Identify age-specific patient needs and provide the necessary care.
• Respond effectively to concerns from patients and visitors to improve customer satisfaction.
• Check equipment, supplies, and containers to ensure products are current and properly stocked according to unit procedures.
• Manage patient behavior, intervene when necessary, and request assistance from other healthcare members as needed.
• Enter information about patients’ conditions in the chart using appropriate formats.
• Serve as the unit’s safe patient handling liaison.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants.
• Orient healthcare team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Prepare, ambulate, transport, and position patients using necessary equipment.

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, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• 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 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.
• Shift differential, weekend premium, and holiday pay under the stated conditions.

What This Job Offers

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