Nursing Assistant

Description:

This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 08/08/2025. Additional applications will be referred as needed.

The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Requirements:

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• [Experience or] Education or Training.
  (1) [Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR ,]
  (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application) ; OR,
  (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full the experience requirements for GS-3.
  
  Grade Determinations :
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
• GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
• Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 NA
• 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, healthcare 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; (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application) ; 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 NA (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 . (i.) Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents. (ii.) Ability to observe patients/ residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner. (iii.) 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. (iv.) Ability to communicate effectively with patients/ residents, their families and other health professionals. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c)below; OR,
• Education. Successful completion of 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; (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application) ; 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Certification preferred but not required
• Minimum of six months to a year of experience
• Long-Term Care/Rehab/Hospice/Dementia experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.