Nursing Assistant

Summary

The Nursing Assistant provides direct patient care activities under the supervision of the RN, LPN, Providers within the Primary Care Clinics. Checks patients into the clinic appointment utilizing face-to-face, telephonic, or VA Video Connect 0JVC) technologies to interview patient and/or significant other, and documents intake data as per policy.

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Duties

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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 patient's 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.

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Work Schedule : Full-time, Monday - Friday, Day Shift

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : PD08468F, PD08469F, and PD08470F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 :

• 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).

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 : In addition to the basic requirements listed above, you must meet the grade requirements at one of the following grade levels to qualify for this position.

GS-3

Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4

• 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 resident's 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

• 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 bachelor's degree that included 24 semester hours of courses related to health care or possession of a bachelor's 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.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05.

Physical Requirements: Work requires the incumbent to be mobile throughout the annex and CBOCs as needed, involving sitting, standing, walking, bending, pushing, and lifting (moderate-heavy).

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

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.