Nursing Assistant (Acute Care)

Veterans Health Administration • Seattle, WA

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant works on inpatient acute care units, supporting Veteran patients’ rights and responsibilities and helping patients regain independence or remain comfortable at the end of life. The role includes activities of daily living and general nursing duties. The full performance level is GS-5; duties at GS-3 and GS-4 differ in complexity and level of supervision. The position is permanent and has a night schedule, with compressed tours of 7:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. or 11:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., rotating weekends, and days to be determined. Telework and remote work are not authorized.

The position is open continuously until November 30, 2026, or until positions are filled. The first application referral cutoff is November 2, 2026, with later referrals at regular intervals or as vacancies arise. The vacancy may be used to fill additional positions, and the selected grade may range from GS-3 to GS-5.

Candidates must meet the applicable education or experience requirements for the selected grade. Basic eligibility includes six months of general experience, one year of relevant post-high-school education, or qualifying specialized training; GS-4 and GS-5 have additional experience, education, and demonstrated competency criteria. The role requires proficiency in spoken and written English. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, complete required employment screening and onboarding, and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Basic qualification: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; or one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of qualifying intensive, specialized occupation-related training of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.
• GS-4: one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing relevant technical and nursing skills; or two years of post-high-school education in a relevant field, along with the stated KSAs.
• GS-4 KSAs: ability to provide patient/resident care and contribute to a nurse care plan and recovery; observe physical or emotional status and promptly report deviations; use equipment and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures; and communicate effectively with patients, families, and health professionals.
• GS-5: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities; or a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree that included 24 semester hours of health-care-related courses, or a bachelor’s degree, along with the stated KSAs.
• GS-5 KSAs: ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under an RN or LVN/LPN; communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including precepting new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Any education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Selected applicants must complete required pre-employment screening and onboarding, including a drug test if selected for a testing-designated position, background/security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Selected applicants must serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants must complete the application requirements in the announcement’s Required Documents section.

Responsibilities

• Support quality-of-care activities, including fall and pressure-sore prevention, and ensure patients wear the correct identification bracelet.
• Maintain required education and training, including TMS, BLS, HIPAA, and privacy training.
• Supervise patients and mentor other Nursing Assistants in personal hygiene, rest, and eating; feed and bathe patients who need assistance.
• Help patients get in and out of bed and use mobility devices; teach and assist them with activities of daily living to promote independence.
• Maintain a safe, clean, uncluttered, and therapeutic environment, and follow Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures.
• Provide care to patients in isolation and those under chemotherapy precautions while protecting patient and staff privacy.
• Perform and mentor Nursing Assistants in general nursing duties, including measuring and recording vital signs, performing EKGs, measuring weight and height, recording intake and output, providing post-mortem care, applying hot or cold packs, changing clean or sterile dressings, applying external catheters, and providing catheter care.
• Maintain oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, including operating and managing oxygen tanks.
• Perform or instruct patients in range-of-motion exercises, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures.
• Prepare patients for tests, examinations, treatments, and surgery.
• Collect and label urine, sputum, stool, and other specimens for laboratory examination.
• Use safe body mechanics and appropriate patient-transfer procedures.
• Observe and report patients’ physical and mental status, including unusual changes, to the RN.
• Report information obtained from patients or families and participate in developing a plan of care.
• Assist with patient admissions, discharges, and transfers.
• Communicate effectively with nursing and medical staff and record pertinent information.
• Use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies to provide care appropriate to the assigned patients and current level of practice.
• Apply knowledge of human body structure, function, diseases, developmental needs from young adulthood through geriatrics, aseptic techniques, patient transfer, and special dietary needs.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA 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.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child-care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria, for up to 25% of eligible child-care costs and a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• 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 can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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