Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistants function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance , and hospice care. These duties may be performed in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home, or Community Living Center (CLC), acute and sub-acute.

Operates Equipment and Determines Technical Factors Determines technical factors, sets controls, and operates equipment, instruments, and monitors. Assists patients with setting up oxygen, CPAP etc. Uses equipment properly such as vital sign machines, EKG, bladder scan, AED etc. Uses phones, patient lift equipment, and camera monitoring system/call system/panic alarm system. Reports equipment malfunction to senior staff and puts in a work order when appropriate. Recognizes abnormalities and brings them to the attention of the RN. Notifies RN of results and ensures original results are made part of the permanent record. Maintain administrative and clinical files. Orders and maintains supplies for the unit to include specialized supplies pertaining to instruments used in the unit. Properly stores and/or cleans equipment when testing is completed, or patient is discharged. Maintains a Safe Environment/Receives/Directs Patients Maintains a therapeutic and safe ward milieu by identifying, reporting, and eliminating potential hazards. Completes unit rounds and patient safety checks. Completes hazardous items checks of unit, patients, and their belongings as indicated in facility SOP's, Memorandums, or Policies. Performs one-to-one observations of patients. Conducts monitoring of unit and patients. Identifies patient at risk for suicide/self-harm, falls, disruptive behavior etc. Places patients in seclusion and/or restraints as directed, to ensure the safety of patient and/or staff. Takes emergency actions in all situations, ex: cardiopulmonary arrests, Disruptive Behavior incidents, fires, disasters etc. Receives and directs patients, answers routine inquiries, and makes referrals. Assists patients in contacting volunteer or social services as needed. Obtains release forms. Assists patients, visitors and others requesting information, guidance, or referral for special assistance. Participates in the admission of patients by obtaining information, orienting patients to the unit and treatment team, obtaining vital signs and weight and checking patients and their belongings for hazardous items. Performs Diagnostic Tests and Procedures Performs a range of diagnostic support duties such as taking, recording, and reporting to RN deviations in vital signs/withdrawal symptoms and recording them, collecting and labeling specimens for the laboratory. Makes gross visual observations and identifies subtle changes regarding patients' condition. Uses hot/cold packs as ordered. Performs standard diagnostic tests or procedures (in accordance with Nursing Procedure grid) such as removing peripheral IVs, electrocardiograms, bladder scan, fingerstick for glucose determination. Assists patients with adjusting simple supportive equipment. Assists the professional nurse and medical staff with specialized procedures: biopsy, lumbar puncture, electroconvulsive therapy etc. Performs more extensive, complex procedures, ex: dressing changes, ostomy care. Receives requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets requests or instructions from medical or health care personnel. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures in accordance with Nursing Procedure Grid. Employee understands and carries out the request made by the health care professional or seeks assistance for uncommon, unique, or new procedures. Work Schedule: Compressed rotating 12-hour shifts with one 8-hour shift every pay period Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 60191-A; 60192-A; 60193-A 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.