Nursing Assistant (Community Living Center)

Veterans Health Administration • Murfreesboro, TN

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Alvin C. York Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is recruiting a Nursing Assistant for its Community Living Center. The position provides direct care to veterans, including residents with complex needs, and supports their treatment plans, independence, safety, and well-being. The work includes observing and documenting changes in residents’ conditions, carrying out nursing procedures within the scope of practice, communicating relevant information to nursing staff and the treatment team, and helping maintain a clean and safe care environment. The Nursing Assistant also supports team activities and care planning, serves as a safe patient handling liaison, and may precept or mentor other Nursing Assistants.

This is a permanent, full-time position of 80 hours per pay period. The work schedule is based on service needs and includes some weekends and holidays. The full performance level is GS-05; selections may be made at GS-03 through GS-05. Telework and virtual work are not available. A pre-placement physical examination is required, and the role has physical demands that include lifting at least 50 pounds, sustained or extended periods of movement and standing, and potential exposure to infectious or contaminated materials and occasionally combative patients.

The position requires U.S. citizenship, proficiency in written and spoken English, and meeting the applicable Nursing Assistant qualification requirements. Applicants must meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of general experience, one year of relevant post-high-school education, or qualifying specialized training. Grade-specific requirements apply. Long-term care experience is preferred.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with courses related to the occupation; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course or program of less than one year.
• For GS-04 qualification by experience, have one year of specialized Nursing Assistant experience or experience in another medical field performing technical and nursing skills involving knowledge of physical and emotional states, therapeutic communication, and basic and intermediate treatments; alternatively, have two years of relevant post-high-school education and demonstrate the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-05 qualification by experience, have one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 that demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the assignment; alternatively, have a qualifying bachelor's degree and meet the stated education pathway.
• Demonstrate the applicable grade-level abilities, including providing patient/resident care, observing and reporting changes in condition, using relevant equipment, communicating with patients, families, and health professionals, and responding to emergent care situations; GS-05 qualifications also include the ability to serve as a preceptor to new Nursing Assistants.
• Complete required background and security investigation, onboarding, pre-employment identification verification, and any required urinalysis screening for a testing-designated position.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program and complete annual employee health requirements, such as influenza vaccination and TB screening or testing.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Pass a pre-placement physical examination and meet the role’s physical requirements, including visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, ability to lift at least 50 pounds, and ability to perform required physical activities.
• Be able to work effectively in stressful situations, shift priorities based on organizational needs, and work flexibly and maturely.
• Meet Selective Service registration requirements if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Submit education credentials from recognized accredited institutions when using education to meet federal qualification requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Long-term care experience.

Responsibilities

• Use a glucose monitoring machine to obtain veterans’ glucose readings and report deviations to appropriate health care staff.
• Provide direct care to veterans with complex needs.
• Observe subtle changes in residents’ conditions, including behavior, mood, skin color, and appetite, and take appropriate action within the Nursing Assistant role.
• Document care provided, observations, and residents’ responses using appropriate forms or tools.
• Respond to patient changes by contacting appropriate nursing personnel.
• Provide complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and document patient intake and output, and report deviations accurately and promptly.
• Perform nursing procedures within the scope of practice and in accordance with policies and procedures, including enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Work with veterans and residents on small-group activities in accordance with their treatment plans.
• Respect residents’ autonomy and promote independence through respectful, individualized care and appropriate limit setting.
• Participate actively in treatment-planning meetings and resident care planning.
• Use equipment to promote veteran self-care, including lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and the Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Provide patient information verbally to the treatment team for inclusion in care plans and enter residents’ condition information into charts using appropriate formats.
• Help maintain a clean and safe environment; remove defective equipment, report hazards, observe safety regulations, contribute to infection control, and use proper aseptic technique.
• Serve as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Serve as a preceptor and mentor to other Nursing Assistants and orient health care team members to the unit as appropriate.
• Function as a member of the unit base counsel.
• Manage patient behavior through appropriate interventions and request assistance from other health care team members when needed.
• Initiate basic life support and take appropriate actions in emergent situations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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.
• 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 may receive a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income, child-eligibility, and monthly-maximum conditions.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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