Nursing Assistant

Summary

This Nursing Assistant position is within Nursing, Business Operations services at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System located in Las Vegas NV.

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This job will close when we have received 50 applications, which may be sooner than the closing date.

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Duties

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This position will serve as a Transporter/Nursing Assistant (NA) in the Nursing Business Operation Service at the Veteran Affairs Southern Nevada Medical Center (VASNHS) Las Vegas, Nevada. The Transporter/Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compassionate transfer of patients, specimens, and supplies throughout the healthcare facility. This position also assists with basic patient care tasks as assigned, under the supervision of nursing staff, and other duties as assigned by the Nurse Manager or designee.

The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Safely transports patients using wheelchairs, beds, stretchers, or other assistive devices between various facility locations (e.g., patient rooms, surgery, radiology, therapy, discharge area).
• Ensures patient identification, comfort, privacy, and safety during transit.
• Provides escort and/or assistance to patients with limited mobility including patients requiring special precautions, under appropriate nursing supervision.
• Assists with the transfer of acute patients in collaboration with Registered Nurses (RN), or other qualified staff.
• Transports laboratory specimens
• Assists with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as personal hygiene, feeding, and mobility under supervision.
• Obtains and records vital signs (weight, blood pressure, temperature, intake and output), and performs routine diagnostic procedures (e.g., EKG, glucometry, pulse oximetry) as assigned.
• Assists patients with transfers from bed to chair, or bed to bedside commode using proper body mechanics and/or safe patient handling equipment per policy to ensure safety to self and patient.
• Provides 1:1 observation for homicidal or suicidal patients, patients who are a danger to themselves or others, or due to a high fall risk as directed by the Management, Charge Nurse or designee and documents per policy.
• Cleans, maintains, and stores transport equipment (wheelchairs, stretchers, etc.) and reusable medical equipment in line with infection prevention and medical center policy.
• Communicates effectively with medical staff, patients, and families regarding transport times and patient needs.
• Responds promptly and professionally to patient needs, concerns, and questions.
• Documents transport activity and patient care tasks according to established procedures.
• Treats all patients, visitors, and co-workers with dignity, respect, and civility.
• Demonstrates commitment to patient safety, comfort, and service excellence at all times.
• Maintains compliance with hospital policies and all health and safety regulations.
• Participates in mandatory education and training.
• Observes and monitors patients and communicates and documents care given during the transportation/escort process. Report's status of patients and changes noted to the registered nurse at escort destination.
• Continually monitors patient flow, identifies existing and potential problem areas or delays in processing a Veteran's medical care request.
• Monitor's environment of care and initiates corrective actions to prevent patient injury, reporting problems and resolution to Nurse Manager, Charge Nurse or designee.
• Recognizes emergency situations (i.e., codes, disasters, fire and safety issues) and takes appropriate and immediate action. Can successfully perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver.
• Demonstrates and adheres to all aspects of Veteran Centered Care concepts, ICARE, and the Code of Conduct in daily work/interactions with others.
• Monitors patients remotely via virtual sitting/telesitting.
• Performs additional related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : Varied

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 593-00068-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
• Probationary/Trial Period: As a condition of employment for accepting the position of Nursing Assistant with the Department of Veterans Affairs, you will be required to serve a 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 the following:
• 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. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period hat your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.
• 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.

Qualifications

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.
• Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations :

GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs below;

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; AND

Demonstrated 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.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment?

Assignment. This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff 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. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

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

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

CNA License is preferred.

References : VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualifications Standard, GS-621

Physical Requirements : Duties require extensive period of standing, sitting and walking. Working with patients requires regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching and similar activities. The employee provides physical restraints for confused or combative patients as necessary. The nursing assistant must be physically able to lift to meet the physical standards of the position as evaluated by Employee Health.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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:

Additional information

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members : Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

Probationary Period: During the first two years of your employment, you may be required to serve a probationary period beginning the effective date of your appointment. This period is considered to be an extension of the interview process and will provide your supervisor with an opportunity to evaluate your conduct and performance on the job. During this period if it is determined that your performance or conduct fails to demonstrate your qualifications for employment, you may be terminated.

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.