Nursing Assistant - Acute Care

Veterans Health Administration • Prescott, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Northern Arizona VA Health Care System is seeking a Nursing Assistant to join its Acute Care team. The role provides direct care to veterans, including veterans with complex needs, and involves monitoring patients, recognizing changes in their condition, documenting care, and communicating concerns to appropriate nursing staff. Duties may vary, and other duties may be assigned.

This is a full-time position in a 24/7 hospital. Schedule and assignments may require flexibility; some positions require rotating tours or indefinite work on non-administrative tours as established by the immediate supervisor. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-05, and selection may be at GS-03 to GS-05. Candidates must meet the applicable education, experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities requirements for the grade. The position has physical demands that include extended periods of walking, standing, and other movement, patient or object transfers, and possible exposure to infectious or contaminated materials and to combative patients.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For the basic qualification, six months of general experience demonstrating the 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 an intensive, specialized occupation-related training course or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant.
• For GS-4 consideration, one year of specialized experience at the NA level or experience in another medical field performing relevant technical and nursing skills; or two years of post-high-school education with relevant courses. GS-4 candidates must also demonstrate the listed KSAs in patient care, observation and referral, proper use of equipment, and communication.
• For GS-5 consideration, one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4; or a qualifying bachelor's degree as specified in the announcement. GS-5 candidates must demonstrate the listed KSAs in nursing care, oral communication and precepting, and recognition and response to emergent care situations.
• Applicants must pass a pre-employment physical examination and complete required onboarding and application documentation.
• Selected applicants are subject to a background/security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis. Refusal to be tested results in denial of employment.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel; annual Employee Health requirements such as TB screening or testing must also be completed.
• The position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity; the ability to work effectively in stressful situations and shift priorities based on patient needs is also required.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is evaluated under the conditions described in the announcement.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain readings and refer deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care for complex veterans.
• Observe for subtle changes in patients’ condition, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the assigned role.
• Document care provided, observations, and patient responses using appropriate tools or forms.
• Respond to subtle patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, reporting deviations in a timely and accurate manner.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on years of federal service; selected applicants may request prior work or military service credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval.
• The announcement states that federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility and are not detailed.

What This Job Offers

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