Community Living Center- Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration • Butler, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

VA Butler Healthcare is seeking Nursing Assistants to provide direct care and support to Veterans in its Community Living Center. Working as part of an interdisciplinary healthcare team, the Nursing Assistant provides individualized, resident-centered care that promotes safety, independence, comfort, and well-being while respecting Veterans’ preferences and lifelong habits.

The role includes assisting residents with personal care and daily needs, observing and reporting changes in condition, documenting care, supporting treatment and diagnostic procedures, and responding to emergencies. Care is provided under the direction of licensed nursing staff, with the level of supervision and complexity varying by grade. The full performance level is GS-05; applicants may be selected at GS-03 through GS-05. This is an open continuous announcement through December 31, 2026, with applications referred at intervals or as vacancies arise.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Meet the basic experience or education pathway: six months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire Nursing Assistant knowledge and skills; one year of post-high-school education with related courses; or completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related Nursing Assistant training course or program of less than one year.
• Meet the applicable grade-level qualifications. GS-04 requires one year of specialized Nursing Assistant or related medical-field experience, or two years of relevant post-high-school education, plus the specified knowledge, skills, and abilities. GS-05 requires one year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-04 plus specified professional KSAs, or a qualifying four-year degree and the specified KSAs.
• For GS-04, demonstrate ability to provide a range of resident care and contribute to care plans; observe physical or emotional status and promptly refer deviations; properly use equipment and supplies in simple procedures; and communicate effectively with residents, families, and health professionals.
• For GS-05, demonstrate ability to assist with the full range of nursing care under an RN or LPN/LVN; communicate orally with residents, families, the interdisciplinary team, and other personnel, including precepting new Nursing Assistants; and recognize and respond to emergent care situations while awaiting assistance.
• Pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements and complete the online onboarding process and required application documentation.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Prior work experience or military service may be considered for credit toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Recognize normal aging processes and respond to Veterans’ age-specific sensory, perceptual, and physical needs.
• Assist residents with bathing, personal hygiene, feeding, vital signs, and ambulation, as directed.
• Provide individualized, resident-centered care based on each resident’s needs, preferences, and lifelong habits, involving residents in their care when possible.
• Identify Veterans using two specific personal identifiers.
• Report care results and changes in a Veteran’s condition to the RN in a timely manner.
• Document nursing care in written patient care books and/or electronic nursing care programs, including Caribou and CPRS.
• Keep informed of applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, directives, and regulations.
• Use proper body mechanics, lifting devices, and coworker assistance when providing care.
• Reinforce teaching and instructions previously provided by the RN.
• Provide care for Veterans transported to facilities outside VA Butler Healthcare.
• Contribute to work-area conferences.
• Initiate emergency actions in life-threatening situations, including cardiac or respiratory arrest, and alert licensed personnel immediately.
• Use equipment, materials, and supplies for simple diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Monitor bowel and bladder functioning and track intake and output.
• Administer specified skin treatments and comfort items in accordance with policy and the Bar Code Medication Administration system.
• Administer retention and non-retention enemas and rectal suppositories for lower bowel evacuation.
• Administer non-medicated eye drops for comfort measures.
• Provide assigned respiratory care support, including applying and regulating oxygen.
• Insert urinary catheters and irrigate catheters as ordered.
• Use clean and/or sterile technique to collect urine, stool, and wound specimens.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special 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.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income, child eligibility, and program limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and a federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• 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