Nursing Assistant (Clinical Operations Support Team)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Loma Linda (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The Veterans Health Administration, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, seeks a Nursing Assistant to support Clinical Operations and surge capacity across departments. Duties include basic patient care, coordinating workflow, and assisting with the nurse care plan under supervision.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma or GED with NA-related training and demonstrate effective communication, observation, and safety practices in fast-paced healthcare settings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with NA-related coursework.
• Completion of NA-specific training or course of study.

Responsibilities

• Provide a range of patient/resident care under supervision.
• Assist with nursing care plan and patient recovery.
• Observe and report patients' physical or emotional status to supervisor promptly.
• Set up and operate standard patient care equipment and supplies.
• Assist with transitions to different units and maintain care continuity.
• Maintain patient privacy and safety in all activities.

Skills

Patient care

Therapeutic communication

Observation skills

Teamwork

Safety practices

Education

High school + NA courses

NA certificate/course

Job description

Summary

The Clinical Operations Support NA (Nursing Assistant) role balances core service line responsibilities with critical - facility-wide surge capacity. In addition to executing standard daily duties within the Clinical Operations Support Team (COST) framework-such as departmental workflow coordination - basic patient care - and standard operational logistics-these professionals are specifically equipped to mitigate systemic staffing shortages.

Qualifications

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
• One year above high school with courses related to the [NA] occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year [ ] as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 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: GS-3 Experience
• Less than one year of specialized experience as a [NA] or experience in another medical field - 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 high school diploma or a GED.AND Demonstrated KSAs:1.Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2.Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3.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.4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• Education: One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant
• GS-4: Experience
• One year of specialized experience as a [NA] or experience equivalent to the GS-3 - 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 high school diploma or a GED.AND Demonstrated KSAs:1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents.2.Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3.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.4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• Education: One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant
• GS-5: 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs OR -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 Demonstrated KSAs1
• 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.2
• 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.3
• 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 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 to GS-3 to GS-5. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over)
• Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds)
• Straight Pulling
• Pushing
• Reaching above Shoulder
• Walking
• Standing
• Repeated bending
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Hearing aid (permitted)
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Ability to distinguish shades of colors
• Depth perception
• Both eyes required
• Both legs required
• Use of fingers and both hands required
• This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nursing assistants such as direct patient care - and potentially long periods of walking - standing - sitting - moderate lifting - repeated bending - or kneeling
• See VA Handbook 5019 and local NA physical standards

Duties

• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: The NA nursing duties is under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient - inpatient - home or Community Living Center (CLC) - acute - sub-acute
• All duties performed will be completed under close supervision with appropriate training and competencies for assigned task
• Will appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned Veterans
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• When operational demands spike - they seamlessly transition to augment acute care floors and the Emergency Department (ED) - ensuring care continuity and safety across high-acuity zones
• The NA 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 .They assume direct responsibility for gurney-bound patient transports - managing complex intrahospital transfers between departments while upholding strict patient safety and mobility protocols
• Ultimately - this enhanced scope allows the NA to serve as a versatile - cross-functional resource capable of optimizing hospital throughput and supporting clinical teams wherever the need is most critical
• The incumbent is responsible to the Nurse Manager and is accountable to the Associate Director of Patient Care Services (ADPCS)
• Learning to perform aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor: - Personal Hygiene - Physical comfort - Activity - Exercise - Rest - Nutrition - Elimination - Prevention of Skin Breakdown - Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Unit specific tasking: - Operation of Government vehicles including non-emergent and emergent ambulances
• - Fall prevention activities - Flu documentation assist - Vaccine and patient documentation duties
• - 1:1 direct observation care - Discharge lounge duties as assigned
• Preferred Experience: ED preferred Previous EMT experience Field experience as military medic certified nursing assistant in good standing Work Schedule: Mon-Sun -0630-1900 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.