Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration

East Orange (NJ)

On-site

USD 40,000 - 65,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal health insurance

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ East Orange VA Medical Center seeks a Nursing Assistant to support daily living activities and participate in patient care under a licensed provider.

Your duties include engaging patients in group activities, assisting with care and equipment, reporting observations to the RN, and helping maintain a therapeutic environment while protecting patient privacy. Salary range $39,614–$64,678 per year.

Qualifications

Transcript must be submitted if qualifications are based on education.
Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education may be used to qualify.
Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Responsibilities

Engage in group activities and therapeutic groups.
Learn proper body mechanics and use patient care equipment safely.
Report patient observations to the RN or treatment team.
Set up patient care equipment and arrange routine supplies.
Assist with orienting patients and families to unit routines.
Protect patient privacy and maintain confidential information.
Utilize glucose monitoring machine and report deviations.
Provide direct care and observe changes in patient condition.
Document care, observations, and responses.
Administer tracheostomy care, including suctioning.

Skills

Patient care

Observation & reporting

Team collaboration

Glucose monitoring

Privacy & confidentiality

Education

Transcript required if education used

Certificate of Foreign Equivalency for foreign education

Tools

Glucose monitoring equipment

Job description

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Nursing Assistant performs activities of daily living and 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. This position is located at the East Orange, NJ VA Medical Center.

Key Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to: 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 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. Reports patient observations to the RN and/or other members of the treatment team.

Trained to set up patient care related equipment. Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment. Assists with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies. Works as a cooperative, courteous member of the interdisciplinary team. Safeguards the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature. Use proper safety practices. Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures.

Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines. Actively participates in annual competency assessment and validation. The NA becomes proficient with maintaining positive therapeutic relationships by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing communication skills. Utilizing observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording.

Participates in patient centered conferences/shift reports and contributes information for the development and review of the nursing care plan. Maintaining a therapeutic environment for patients according to established procedures and policies by reporting actual or potential accidents, fire hazards and faulty equipment. The NA utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.

Provides direct care for complex Veterans. Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.

Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Performing other duties as assigned.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Full-Time; 7:00pm-7:30am 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) 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 #: 14019-F, 14020-F, 14021-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $39614 – $64678/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.