This role is an integral part of the care team, performing basic nursing duties under the close supervision of RNs, LPNs, and experienced NAs within various community living and rehabilitation units. The Nursing Assistant provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider.
Responsibilities
Maintain a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families, and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
Utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting, and recording veteran/resident observations
Perform reporting, communication, and documentation in the computerized EHR, Caribou, Microsoft Teams, and Outlook with other members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team
Perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for personal hygiene and grooming, physical comfort, activity, exercise, rest, nutrition, elimination, prevention of skin breakdown, and rehabilitative aspects of care under close supervision of an RN or LPN
Engage in group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events, and other therapeutic groups
Escort veterans/residents and transport items within the campus
Utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follow procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings, such as utilization of lifting equipment
Organize and obtain routine supplies and equipment
Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
Work as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
Safeguard the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
Use proper safety practices
Utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
Complete all mandatory training within appropriate timeliness and maintain BLS
Work towards obtaining CNA certification
Actively participate in annual competency assessment and validation
Provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
Observe patients/residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
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.
Communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families, and other health professionals
Assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient setting
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Communicate orally with veterans/residents, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel
Serve 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
Recognize and react to emergent veteran/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance (example - recognizing the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crisis, etc.)
Utilize glucose monitoring machine, record reading, and refer deviations to appropriate staff
Observe subtle changes in resident's condition and take the appropriate action
Document all care given and observe changes within the patient
Administer complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning
Perform nursing procedures within the scope of practice, according to policies and standard practice
Work on small group activities with patients/residents according to their treatment plan
Promote independence and self-care
Maintain a clean and safe environment
Orient members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
Initiate basic life support and take appropriate action
Requirements
United States Citizenship
Proficient in spoken and written English
Six months of general experience demonstrating 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 of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant
Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents (for GS-4 and above)
Ability to observe patients/residents' physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner (for GS-4 and above)
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. (for GS-4 and above)
Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families, and other health professionals (for GS-4 and above)
One year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 two 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 (for GS-4 and above)
One 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; 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 (for GS-5 and above)
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 (for GS-5 and above)
Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel, including 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 (for GS-5 and above)
Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance (for GS-5 and above)
Must pass pre-employment physical examination
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
Serve a 1 or 2-year trial period
Nice to have:
3-5 years of Long Term Care experience
Available to work weekends and holidays
Available to work 12-hour night shifts
Important Details
Work Schedule: 7:30 PM - 8:00 AM, rotating weekends and holidays
Application deadline: 29 October 2026, 11:59 PM (ET)
Application Process
Complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section
Create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account
Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package
About the Company
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package, offering access to a range of benefits designed to make a federal career very rewarding.
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