Nursing Assistant

Duties of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited to:

• Performs phlebotomy and all other specimen collection following the established policies.
• Completes established processes and procedures to accession manifest and prepare for specimen transport to the main facility laboratory.
• Provide and complete plan of care orders within scope of practice and demonstrated competency.
• Maintains the physical privacy and dignity of each patient while performing specimen collection and other nursing tasks.
• Obtains weights height blood pressure pulse respiration blood glucose (finger stick) level of pain and records them appropriately in the medical record. Can distinguish significant variances in vital signs pain and finger sticks and reports them to the responsible RN LPN or Provider. Assists with glucometer download and data uploading into the electronic medical record.
• Provide patients with the appropriate level of assistance with activities of transferring ambulating and toileting.
• Responds to and assists during emergency treatment situations obtaining equipment as necessary and running errands as needed.
• Assists in emergency situations including but not limited to CPR as needed.
• Understands and demonstrates behavior that reflects that each patient is an individual with needs that vary particularly according to his/her age.
• Understands the appropriate body mechanics to safely move patients using a variety of lifts/transfer devices.
• Recognizes and reports potential safety hazards.
• Initiates emergency measures to protect patients.
• Maintains patient rooms and unit areas in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Participates in problem-solving activities to maintain a safe environment.
• Assists in provision of a safe environment for patients with memory deficits orientation problems and acting-out behavior.
• Utilizes the main facility laboratory department and personnel as a resource and to communicate any patient care related needs or delays as necessary.
• Uses various programs to access information in the Medical Center Computer System to include but not limited to the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to support patient care needs and job duties.
• Consistently reports to the team leader/licensed staff observations of the patients physical condition and behavior.
• Provides timely follow up with CPRS alerts MyHealtheVet messages and phone message manager within scope of practice as assigned.
• Participates with the nursing team to provide input in the formulation and implementation of the care plan.
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing scanning and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; and transmitting and receiving e-mail.
• Follows established Medical Center policies and procedures rules and regulations related to fire disaster security measures computer security and universal fluid precautions.
• Completes all required education requirements in a timely manner.

• 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.
• 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: Citizen of the United States. 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 training course 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d).

• 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 health care 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:
  • Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.
  • Ability to observe patients/residents or residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
  • 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.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents their families and other health professionals.

• Experience: One (1) 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 assignment. 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.