Nursing Assistant

The nursing assistant will develop skills in order to participate in assessing implementing and evaluating nursing care. Responsibilities will be completed under close supervision at all times as well as with appropriate training.


Duties include but are not limited to;

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.
• Provides direct care for complex veterans.
• Makes observations of subtle changes in residents condition i.e. behavior shifts mood skin coloring appetite etc. and takes action accordingly within the NAs assigned role.
• Documents care given observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel.
• Administers complete tracheostomy care including suctioning.
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately.
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to: enemas catheterization colostomy care skin care simple dressing application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/residents treatment plan.
• Recognizes the residents autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect limit setting and individualized treatment.
• Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings.
• Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care such as; lift equipment Hydro sound Tubs and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
• Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veterans/residents plan of care participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning.
• Enters information about the residents condition in the chart utilizing appropriate formats.
• Participates in maintaining a clean safe environment for the patients/residents.
• Removes defective equipment reports hazards observes safety regulations contributes to infection control and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.
• Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
• Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NAs.
• Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate.
• Functions as a member of the unit base counsel.
• Manages disruptive patient behavior and appropriately intervenes and requests assistance from other health care members.
• Appropriately initiates basic life support takes appropriate action.

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment evaluation.
• 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.

• 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.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience or Education or Training:
  • Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA;OR
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR
  • Completion of an intensive specialized occupation-related trainingcourse of study or program of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
• English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 part II chapter 3 section A paragraph 3j.

• GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
  • Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. o Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.
• GS-4 NA
  • Experience. One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse health technician hospital corpsman etc.) performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of the human physical and emotional states therapeutic communication and technical skills required for basic and intermediate treatments; OR
  • Education. Successful completion of 2 years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care healthcare or in a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position such as education in a program for psychology psychiatric or operating room technicians; AND
  • Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • i Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
    • ii Ability to observe patients/residents or residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
    • iii Ability to properly use 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.
    • iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents their families and other health professionals.
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level)
  • Experience. One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge skills and abilities that are directly related to the specific addition the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR
  • Education. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelors degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelors degree; AND(c)
  • Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
    • i Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in a hospital long-term care or outpatient setting under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse.
    • ii Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents families interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
    • iii Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance. For example recognizing need for basic life support controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis etc.