Nursing Assistant

Summary

PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET.

This is announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies that become available in various service lines over the next 90 days. There may not be current vacancies at all locations when you apply. However, eligible applicants will be referred as needed when vacancies become available in any service line.

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Duties

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NOTE: This announcement has been amended to change the bargaining unit status because on October 2 2026, VA dissolved the bargaining union coverage occupations except for police, security guards & firefighters.

Applicant's note: This announcement is being used to fill various vacancies throughout the Miami VA Healthcare System. Selections will be made from various service lines/departments as vacancies become available. When applying for this position, you must select which shift(s) you are available for & wish to be considered, as well as what duty location(s) you wish to be considered. You may select more than one shift and more than one duty location. But you will only be considered for the shift(s) and location(s) you select when you apply under this announcement. You may be selected for any available Nursing Assistant position with any service line/section/supervisor at the Miami VA over the next 90 days..

The Bruce W. Carter Department of VAMC is looking for Nursing Assistants (NAs) in various specialty areas and shifts. The incumbent functions as a member of the nursing care team. This role supports licensed nursing staff by promptly identifying and reporting safety concerns while maintaining Veteran-centered customer service standards. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.

Primary duties and responsibilities for all NAs include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizing glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.
• Providing direct care for complex Veterans.
• Monitoring and documenting patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately.
• Performing nursing procedures in accordance to policies and standard procedure to care for the Veterans. This includes but is not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices.
• Working on small group activities with Veterans/residents according to the patient's treatment plan.
• Removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control and utilizing proper aseptic technique in performance of duties.
• Serving as the unit safe patient handling liaison.

Work Schedule : Various shifts available that may include working weekends, nights and/or some holidays. Available shifts will be discussed during your interview/selection process.

• 1st shift : Includes daytime hours (shifts typically start around 6-9 am)
• 2nd Shift: Incudes afternoon hours (shifts typically start around 12-4 pm)
• 3rd Shift: Includes evening hours (shifts typically start around 9 pm - 12 am)
• Rotating Shifts: Includes various shifts that may include evenings and/or weekend hours

(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on facility/patient care needs).

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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, 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaulation.
• 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.

Qualifications

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 : All applicants must meet the following basic requirements to qualify.

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience, 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 (transcripts required)
• Physical Requirements . Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation as required by VA Handbook 5019. This evaluation is administered by VA Occupational Health.
• English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(f) and 7407(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Grandfathering Provisions: All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

GS-5 Grade Requirements (Full Performance Level): In addition to the above basic requirements, all applicants must also meet the following grade requirements.

• 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 assignment. Examples of experience include, but is not limited to: functioning as a member of the nursing care team & assisting higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff & other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub-acute or chronic states of illness; 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; assisting licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care; etc. -OR-
• Education . Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's degree (transcripts required); AND
• Demonstrated KSAs. In addition, you must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Preferred Experience- These preferences are highly desired:

• Experience in utilizing dependability self direction.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Able to adapt and be flexible.
• Outstanding customer service skills & the ability to work in a team environment.
• Working independently with minimum supervision & to prioritize tasks.
• Working under pressure & with individuals with various socioeconomic backgrounds in a courteous, tactful & professional manner to complete tasks & assist Veteran patients & their families.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5.

Education

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: 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:

Proof of education: If you are using education to qualify, you must provide a copy of your college transcript(s). NOTE: To assist you obtain proof of education/transcripts, many schools are listed on the National Student Clearinghouse website (& may be an optional source if you're unable to locate this when needed).

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.