Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Nursing Assistant to learn and perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in outpatient, inpatient, home or community settings. The role supports patients with acute to chronic conditions and emphasizes safety, observation, and teamwork.

Training will cover essential nursing tasks, equipment use, and patient support under a preceptor. Qualifications range from six months general experience to advanced education and KSAs, including therapeutic

Qualifications

• Six months general experience or education as NA
• One year of education above high school related to nursing
• Two years above high school with relevant courses
• Bachelor's degree in health care or related field with required KSAs

Responsibilities

• Learn to perform nursing care under close supervision
• Gather and document patient observations
• Assist with activities of daily living and basic patient care
• Operate basic patient care equipment
• Maintain safety and privacy of patients
• Work as part of an interdisciplinary team in various care settings

Skills

Basic nursing care

Therapeutic communication

Observation of patient status

Use of medical equipment

Safety practices

Education

Six months general experience

One year education above high school related to NA

Two years above high school with related health courses

Bachelor's degree in healthcare field

Tools

Glucose monitoring device

Vital signs monitor

Job description

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: The Nursing Assistant is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or community living care - acute - sub-acute. The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. AMERICA'S VERTANS NEED YOU!

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
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Experience - Education or Training
• You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) 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. 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 stated above - the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS-3 - None beyond the basic requirements
• NAs at this grade are considered entry-level and are closely supervised
• To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following EXPERIENCE: One (1) 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 - 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 - in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (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 residents' 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
• To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following: 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
• Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home - or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative - acute - sub-acute - chronic - maintenance - and hospice care
• OR - EDUCATION: Successful completion of 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 - in addition you must demonstrate the following 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: Current/Recent Direct patient care experience (1 year or greater within the past 5 years) Remote monitoring of patients experience preferred
• Microsoft and/or Excel experience preferred Certified Nursing Assistant preferred
• 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:You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Physical Requirements include but are not limited to: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds Pulling hand over hand (8-12 hours) Pushing (8-12 hours) Both hands required Walking ( 8-12 hours) Standing ( 8-12 hours) Kneeling (8-12 hours) Repeated bending (8-12 hours) Climbing - use of legs and arms Both legs required Near vision correctable at 13\"\" to 16\"\" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Ability to distinguish basic colors Lifting over 35 lbs wit assisted devices Twisting Simple Grasp Fine Manipulation

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 31 - 2026.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 7 - 2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 12/31/2026
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days - after 90 days applicants will have to reapply
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but not limited to: Will learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.: a
• Personal Hygiene b
• Physical comfort c
• Activity - Exercise - Rest d
• Nutrition e
• Elimination f
• Prevention of Skin Breakdown g
• Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• b
• Is trained to set up patient care related equipment c
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• d
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• e
• Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• a
• Uses proper safety practices
• b
• Learning to utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• c
• Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment Work Schedule: (6)12-hr shifts and (1) 8-hr shift: Day 0730-2000
• 0730-1600 or 1130-2000
• Night 1930-0800
• 2330-0800
• rotating weekends/holidays
• Based on the needs of the service
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #'s: 52871-F - 52795-F -52804-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized