Nursing Assistant

Full Job Description

The SURGICAL CARE department is seeking a Nursing Assistant who will practice within the scope and certification of a CNA in the surgical clinic, area of assignment.

Provides care and services to clinic patients served as determined by the service. Provides care of patients contributing to optimizing patient outcomes.

Provides for the care of patients with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs.

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: 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: 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: GS-3 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): None beyond the Basic Requirements.

GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience as an 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, (b) EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (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 (c) 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 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below OR, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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: SURGICAL CARE experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, date 05/2025.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-05. 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. Major Duties:

Duties Include but not limited to: Provides reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized patient record system with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team.

Demonstrates competency and consistency in the technical use of equipment, application of technical standards and performance of administrative support duties.

Demonstrates knowledge of and compliance with standard operating procedures for the maintenance of reusable medical equipment.

Participates in Medical Center activities and demonstrates skills and behaviors that provide and promote positive internal and external customer relationships.

Attends service level and Medical Center meetings and develops as an employee to support committee participation.

Maintains patient safety standards assuring patient privacy, patient/resident physical safety, and patient psychological safety.

Establishes working relationships with members of the work team promoting the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members.

Aids and support to the Surgical Specialty and/or provider within the scope of the CNA certification/grade and consistent with Medical Center policy.

Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required