Nursing Assistant - Specialty Care

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is hiring a Specialty Care Nursing Assistant to support complex inpatient medical and surgical care for Veterans. The position provides direct patient care, monitors and documents clinical changes, performs delegated nursing procedures, supports safe patient handling, and contributes to a therapeutic, patient-centered environment. The role includes participation in treatment planning and communication with an interdisciplinary team. The full performance level is GS-5; applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5.

The position works rotating day and night shifts, including rotating weekends and holidays. Compressed or flexible scheduling is available; telework and virtual work are not available. Basic Life Support certification is required, with training provided. Employees must pass a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.

The VA describes its care model as a Whole Health System that empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being through personalized health plans, healing relationships and environments, and connections to the Veteran’s community.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification; training is provided.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination or evaluation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet one basic qualification pathway: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of related education above high school; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course of less than one year.
• For GS-4, meet either the stated experience requirement of one year as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field performing relevant technical and nursing skills, or the education requirement of two years above high school in an appropriate related field; also demonstrate the listed patient-care, observation, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5, meet either the stated experience requirement of one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, or the education requirement of a completed four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with 24 relevant semester hours, or possession of a bachelor's degree; also demonstrate the listed nursing-care, communication, and emergency-response abilities.
• Provide relevant transcripts or training documentation when relying on education or training to qualify; transcripts must meet the announcement’s stated documentation requirements.
• Complete required application and onboarding steps, background/security investigation, and applicable drug screening; males born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as required.

Responsibilities

• Obtain glucose readings and report deviations to healthcare staff.
• Provide direct care to complex-care Veterans and observe and document changes in behavior, mood, skin, or appetite.
• Perform tracheostomy care, suctioning, intake and output monitoring, and basic nursing procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, and simple dressings.
• Support small-group therapeutic activities and promote Veteran independence through individualized treatment and limit setting.
• Participate in treatment planning meetings and communicate patient information to the interdisciplinary team.
• Serve as the unit safe-patient-handling liaison, using lift equipment and other mobility devices.
• Intervene appropriately during behavioral crises and initiate basic life support when necessary.
• Assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of licensed nursing staff, as appropriate to the selected grade.
• Observe patients’ physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations or problems to a supervisor.
• Recognize and respond to emergent patient-care situations while awaiting assistance.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for qualifying higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and paid Federal holidays.
• Possible credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Possible childcare subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• 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.
• Potential eligibility for the Student Loan Repayment Program, with repayment limited to $10,000 annually and $60,000 lifetime, subject to program conditions and service agreement.

What This Job Offers

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