Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Northport, NY

20d • Onsite

About The Position

The Northport, New York VA Medical Center is seeking a Nursing Assistant to work as part of the Mental Health team. Under the direction of a licensed health care provider, the Nursing Assistant performs activities of daily living and provides care that contributes to Veterans’ treatment plans, recovery, and wellness. The role serves patients and residents with acute to chronic conditions in a range of health care settings, including inpatient, outpatient, home, and Community Living Center environments.

The Nursing Assistant observes and reports patients’ physical and emotional status, records pertinent observations, contributes to nursing care plans and shift reports, and supports patient and family education. The role includes monitoring Veterans at assigned observation levels, including suicide precautions and regular checks, and reporting concerns to the charge nurse or another health care professional. The Nursing Assistant also supports therapeutic activities, rehabilitation, and patient independence, while protecting privacy and maintaining a safe therapeutic environment.

The position is offered at GS-03 through GS-05, with GS-05 as the full-performance level. GS-03 is entry level, GS-04 is developmental and closely supervised, and GS-05 is the full-performance level. The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position is permanent; telework and virtual work are not available. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the basic qualification through one of the stated alternatives: six months of general experience; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related training course or program of less than one year.
• For GS-4, meet the stated experience or education alternative and demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities in patient care, observation and timely reporting, use of equipment for simple procedures, and effective communication.
• For GS-5, meet the stated experience or education alternative and demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under RN and/or LPN/LVN direction, communicate orally with patients and care teams, and recognize and respond to emergent care situations.
• Complete applicable background/security investigation and pre-employment requirements, including required identification and drug testing for applicants selected for testing-designated positions.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and certification requirements.
• Complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.
• Physical requirements are governed by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Psychiatric experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform activities of daily living and provide patient/resident care under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
• Contribute to nursing care plans, patient-centered conferences, and shift reports.
• Observe and document patients’ physical and emotional status, and promptly report deviations or concerns to a supervisor, RN, charge nurse, or other health care professional.
• Perform and document prescribed medical treatments and interventions, including diabetic urine and blood testing and simple dressing changes.
• Use equipment and supplies for basic diagnostic and treatment procedures, including bladder scans, continuous passive motion devices, blood glucose monitoring machines, specimen collection, and patient-care equipment.
• Monitor Veterans according to assigned observation levels, including one-to-one suicide observation, continuous observation, 15-minute checks, and hourly rounding; report risks of harm to self or others according to policy.
• Assist with personal hygiene, comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative care.
• Encourage and guide patients in bowel and bladder training and other rehabilitative activities that promote independence and recovery.
• Engage patients in therapeutic group activities, such as off-station trips, reality orientation, and current events, with direction and close supervision.
• Set up patient-care equipment, including hypothermia machines, oxygen delivery systems, and portable or wall suction, and assist in monitoring its proper functioning.
• Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment.
• Assist with patient and family education, including orientation to unit routines and policies.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment by reporting accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with patients, families, significant others, and interdisciplinary health professionals while protecting confidential information.
• Use proper body mechanics and follow procedures for patient-care equipment to help prevent injury.
• Work cooperatively as a member of the interdisciplinary care team and, at the GS-5 level, assist with orientation and practical experience of lower-level or new Nursing Assistants.
• Complete mandatory training and participate in annual competency assessments and validation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Eligible selected applicants may receive credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income, child eligibility, and maximum subsidy limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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