Nursing Assistant (Med-Surg)

Veterans Health Administration • Fayetteville, NC

7h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (GS-5) works as a member of the nursing care team, assisting licensed nursing staff in caring for Veterans with preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice needs. Patient assignments may involve complex nursing needs ranging from predictable to unpredictable. Under the direction of a licensed health care provider, the Nursing Assistant provides activities of daily living and other care that supports the Veteran’s treatment plan, recovery, and wellness. Work may take place in outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center, acute, or sub-acute settings.

The role includes providing direct care, recognizing and responding to changes in patient condition, documenting care and observations, and communicating relevant information to nursing staff and the interdisciplinary treatment team. The Nursing Assistant performs procedures within scope of practice and follows applicable policies, standard procedures, safety practices, and infection-control requirements. The position also includes precepting and mentoring other Nursing Assistants, orienting health care team members to the unit as appropriate, completing mandatory training, and participating in annual competency assessments.

The work schedule is 7:45 a.m.–9:15 p.m. in 12-hour shifts, totaling 80 hours biweekly. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and Permanent Change of Station authorization are not available. This is an Excepted Service position and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating the 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 course or program of less than one year.
• For GS-5, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to the GS-4 level, directly related to the assignment, and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities; or have a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or possess a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients with physical and/or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Demonstrate oral communication skills with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel, including the ability to precept new Nursing Assistants.
• Demonstrate ability to recognize and react to emergent patient-care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, submit to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification requirements.
• Meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Use only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript to receive credit.
• Provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements; effective May 7, 2025, a driver’s license or state-issued identification card that is not REAL ID compliant is not acceptable for this purpose.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if male and born after December 31, 1959.

Nice To Haves

• Emergency Department or critical care experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide activities of daily living and nursing care under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Assist with the full range of care for patients with physical and/or behavioral needs in hospital, long-term care, or outpatient settings.
• Provide direct care to Veterans with complex and acute-to-chronic conditions.
• Use a glucose-monitoring machine to obtain readings and report deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Observe subtle changes in patients’ conditions, including changes in behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the assigned role.
• Document care, observations, responses, patient information, and intake and output using appropriate forms, tools, and chart formats; report deviations promptly and accurately.
• Respond to patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Perform procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Participate in treatment-planning meetings and provide patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the plan of care.
• Use equipment to promote patient self-care.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants, assist with orientation, and oversee or assess practical experience in the clinical setting.
• Orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Manage patient behavior and request assistance from other health care team members when needed.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action in emergencies, including controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crises while awaiting help.
• Complete mandatory training within required timelines and participate in annual competency assessment and validation.

Benefits

• The posting states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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