Nursing Assistant Spinal Cord Injury V1

Veterans Health Administration • Long Beach, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Long Beach VA Healthcare System is seeking two Nursing Assistants for its Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) V1 unit. The role provides direct care to veterans with complex needs and supports their safety, comfort, autonomy, and independence. Nursing Assistants work as part of the nursing care team and perform duties within their scope of practice and established policies and procedures. The vacancy may be filled at GS-03 through GS-05, with GS-05 identified as the full performance level.

The position has various shifts, and the work schedule may change based on organizational needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The job involves physical activity, including walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and sometimes carrying heavy loads. Employees must use good body mechanics and have the stamina to withstand stress.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to perform Nursing Assistant work, or qualifying education or training as specified in the announcement.
• For GS-04 selection based on experience, one year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field involving technical and nursing skills; alternatively, qualifying education may be used as described in the announcement.
• For GS-05 selection based on experience, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04; alternatively, qualifying education may be used as described in the announcement.
• Meet the grade-specific knowledge, skills, and abilities stated for the grade sought, including patient care, communication, observation, equipment use, and response to emergent situations as applicable.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Complete the required application steps, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Selected applicants must pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered for Selective Service.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and must be certified in writing as advancing the public interest.
• Physical ability to walk, stand, stoop, lift, bend, push, turn, and at times carry heavy loads; use good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.
• Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care to veterans with complex needs.
• Obtain vital signs and promptly report abnormal results to appropriate staff.
• Observe subtle changes in patients’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and act within the assigned role.
• Document care, observations, patient responses, and resident condition in the appropriate charting tools or forms.
• Respond to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Monitor and accurately document patient intake and output, and promptly report deviations.
• Perform nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures, including Foley care, hospital-acquired pressure injury prevention, and use of an AvaSure telesitter.
• Recognize patient autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment.
• Use equipment, including lift equipment, to promote veterans’ self-care.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment by removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and using proper aseptic technique.
• Assist in the range of nursing care for patients with physical or behavioral problems under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
• Recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations while awaiting assistance.
• At the GS-05 level, serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants by assisting with orientation and overseeing or assessing their practical experience in a clinical setting.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED