Nursing Assistant

The Nursing Assistant (NA) GS-3 is the entry level nursing position; the candidate will be provided opportunities to develop basic nursing assistant skills to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are at the entry grade and are closely monitored and supervised.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Completes duties at the lower grade and, in this position, performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. Performs these duties in a variety of health care settings, such as outpatient, inpatient, home, Community Living Center (CLC), acute, and subacute. Cares for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. Demonstrates the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Provides a range of patient/resident care and contributes to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. Observes patients or residents' physical or emotional status and refers deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. Uses equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection, etc. Communicates with patients/residents, their families, and other health professionals. The NA becomes proficient in maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by demonstrating respect for human dignity toward patients, families,, and/or significant others, utilizing communication skills. Utilizes observation skills for data collection, reporting, and recording. Participates in patient-centered conferences/shift reports and contributes information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintains a therapeutic environment for patients in accordance with established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards, and faulty equipment. Customer Service Requirements: Meets the needs of all customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions. Communicates and treats customers (patients, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides customers with consistent information in accordance with established policies and procedures. Handles conflicts and problems with customers constructively and appropriately. Age, Development, and Lifestyle Needs of Patient Requirements: Provides care and/or services appropriate to the age of the patients served and to the patients' cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation. Assesses data reflecting the patient's status and interprets the information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to their age-specific needs, and provides the care needed as described in the services' policies and procedures. Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various Veteran populations with this institution. Demonstrates the knowledge of the changes associated with aging and possesses the ability to provide care/support based upon age-related factors. Computer Security Requirements: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA guidelines. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs. Work Schedule: M- F 6:30am-3:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 613260; 613270; 613280 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.