Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration; United States; On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration is seeking a Nursing Assistant (NA) for an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The role supports patient care at entry to full performance levels across locations, with referrals on an as-needed basis.

Applicants must meet basic VA requirements, English proficiency, and KSAs including patient care, status observation, equipment use, and clear communication with the care team. Qualifications vary by grade (GS-3 to GS-5); progression depends on education/experience and

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required by VA policy.
• English language proficiency per VA Handbook standards.
• Qualification levels GS-3/GS-4/GS-5 with grade-specific requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide patient/resident care under supervision.
• Observe patients’ physical or emotional status and report deviations promptly.
• Operate basic diagnostic/treatment equipment as trained and needed.
• Communicate effectively with patients, families and health professionals.

Skills

KSAs: patient care

Observation of patients

Effective communication

Education

GS-4 education: 2 years college

GS-4/GS-5 KSAs: nursing care knowledge

Tools

Medical equipment basics

Job description

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications is Wednesday, September 2, 2026 and applicants will be referred on an 'as needed' basis thereafter. This Announcement has been opened through September 15, 2026, and may be extended if needed prior to the updated closing date. Note: Vacancies may not currently exist at all advertised locations, but may later occur prior to the closing date. Applicants will be notified at time of referral.

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. NOTE: Your resume must include job title, duties listed for each position, month and year start/end dates, AND hours worked per week. 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. (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; 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 meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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). Grandfathering Provisions. All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 2) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. 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) (a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised. GS-4 (a) 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, (b) Education. Successful completion of 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 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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; OR, (b) Education: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading