Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides care to patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. The role supports nursing care under the direction of nursing staff and contributes to patient care planning and recovery. The position is full-time, with a regular schedule of 0730–1600 and rotation to evenings (1530–2400) and/or nights (2330–0800) as required. The vacancy's full performance level is GS-5, and applicants may be selected at GS-3 through GS-5.

The NA uses a glucose monitoring machine to obtain and document readings; maintains respectful, therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others; observes, records, and reports patient/resident information; participates in patient-centered conferences and shift reports; and contributes information to nursing care plan development and review. The NA also helps maintain a therapeutic environment by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.

This is a VA position. Employment is subject to citizenship and other federal employment requirements, background/security investigation, a pre-employment physical, and seasonal influenza vaccination. Selected applicants must complete onboarding and serve a one- or two-year trial period. Telework and virtual work are not available.

Requirements

• Meet the basic qualification requirement through one of the following: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA knowledge and skills; one year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related NA course of study or program lasting less than one year.
• For GS-4 consideration, have one year of specialized NA or other medical-field experience performing relevant technical and nursing skills, or successfully complete two years of postsecondary education with related coursework; also demonstrate the specified patient-care, observation, equipment-use, and communication abilities.
• For GS-5 consideration, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4 with directly related knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a qualifying bachelor's degree; also demonstrate the specified nursing-care, communication/preceptor, and emergency-response abilities.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except that non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Meet applicable federal employment conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Complete the required application documentation and online onboarding process; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• For GS-5, be able to assist with the full range of nursing care under the direction of an RN and/or LVN/LPN, communicate orally with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members and other personnel, assist with NA orientation and practical experience as a preceptor, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced computer navigation and computer skills.
• Ability to manage high-stress situations.
• Expertise in multitasking.
• Effective communication skills and experience using multiple communication devices.
• BLS certification.
• CNA certification.
• Acute-care or CLC experience.
• Five or more years of certified long-term-care experience.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veterans.
• Maintain positive therapeutic relationships with patients, families, and significant others by respecting human dignity and using communication skills.
• Observe patients/residents, and collect, report, and record observations.
• Participate in patient-centered conferences and shift reports, contributing information to the development and review of nursing care plans.
• Maintain a therapeutic environment according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.
• Provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 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, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with a child's birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a child care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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