Nursing Assistant - Emergency Department

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Central Texas Health Care System is recruiting Nursing Assistants for its Emergency Department in Temple, Texas. The Nursing Assistant (NA) works as a member of the nursing care team in a fast-paced emergency setting, assisting licensed nursing staff in providing preventive, acute, subacute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care to Veterans. The role supports the VA’s Whole Health System of Care, an interdisciplinary and holistic approach that emphasizes self-care and Veteran-defined well-being alongside conventional and complementary care approaches.

The full-performance level is GS-05; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-05. The position is permanent and has an evening or overnight schedule with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education requirement: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA skills; one year of relevant post-high-school education; or qualifying intensive, specialized NA training of less than one year.
• For GS-04 qualification, meet one of the stated alternatives: one year of specialized NA or related medical-field experience; or successful completion of two years of relevant education above high school. GS-04 candidates must also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation and reporting, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-05 qualification, meet one of the stated alternatives: one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04; or successful completion of a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours related to healthcare, or possession of a bachelor's degree. GS-05 candidates must demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication and precepting, and emergency-response abilities.
• Meet the physical requirements of the position, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity; ability to tolerate extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing; and ability to transfer patients and objects when required.
• Complete required background/security screening, onboarding, application documentation, and any required pre-employment drug testing.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Submit transcripts if using education to qualify; education must be from an appropriately accredited institution, with foreign-education equivalency documentation when applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience.
• Professional Governance participation.
• Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
• Current BLS certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed nursing staff with patient care in the Emergency Department.
• Use glucose monitoring equipment and report deviations to appropriate healthcare staff.
• Provide direct care to complex Veterans and observe for changes in condition, including changes in behavior, mood, skin color, or appetite; respond within the assigned role and notify appropriate nursing personnel.
• Document care, observations, patient responses, and condition using appropriate forms and chart formats.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output and report deviations promptly and accurately.
• Perform nursing 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.
• Work with patients in small-group activities in accordance with treatment plans; respect autonomy and promote independence through respect, limit-setting, and individualized treatment.
• Participate in treatment planning and care-planning meetings and provide patient information to the treatment team.
• Use equipment to promote patient self-care.
• Help maintain a clean and safe patient environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, follow safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants.

Benefits

• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees with qualifying family income may receive a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to stated eligibility limits 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.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.

What This Job Offers

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