Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant (NA) supports the Community Living Center within the Patient Care Service Line - providing compassionate care to long-term residents - hospice veterans - and those with rehabilitation or skilled needs. As a key member of the nursing team - the NA prioritizes veteran-centered care - demonstrates strong teamwork and customer service - and maintains professional standards.

Qualifications

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. 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 - To qualify for employment as a VHA Nursing Assistant (NA) - all applicants must meet the following

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship Must be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part
• 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 Nursing Assistant
• OR One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• OR Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency Nursing Assistants must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS - In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing Assistant Experience or Education: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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 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
• 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
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) Experience or Education: 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR 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
• 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 Nursing Assistants 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 the need for basic life support - controlling bleeding - and assisting with behavior crises - etc
• Preferred Experience: Long-term care - hospice - and/or rehabilitation experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - hearing - clear speech - and manual dexterity
• Duties may involve extended periods of walking - standing - bending - and assisting with patient transfers
• The incumbent may be exposed to infectious materials and may need to wear protective equipment
• Occasional interaction with combative patients may occur
• The role requires a dependable - flexible individual who can work effectively under stress and adapt to shifting patient needs.

Duties

• Start - continue - or finish your career here | Cheyenne VA Health Care System (youtube.com) Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides direct care to disabled Veterans residing in the CLC
• Maintains required unit competencies to ensure safety and high-quality resident care
• Supports a resident-centered care model and helps maintain a home-like environment
• Performs restorative nursing care to promote residents' highest functional level - including provider-ordered programs such as walk-to-dine
• Participates in recreation therapy activities to support socialization - engagement - and physical activity through planned events and outings
• Performs other duties as assigned - commensurate with grade level
• Work Schedule: Intermittent (PRN) - hours vary based on service needs
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 442-56057-A - 442-56058-A - 442-560579-A

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.