Nursing Assistant (Float Pool)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nursing Assistant at American Lake Campus joins the Float Team to support providers, nursing leadership, and registered nurses in caring for veterans with diverse medical conditions. The role covers activities of daily living, basic nursing tasks, and coordination with the care team across Community Living Center and other units, with emphasis on safety and patient dignity.

Educational and experience requirements include US citizenship and VA KSAs; multiple paths meet GS-3 to GS-5 levels;

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or training in nursing care.
• English language proficiency per VA Handbook.
• Ability to follow care plans and communicate with the healthcare team.

Responsibilities

• Provide activities of daily living and basic nursing tasks.
• Assist with patient care in the American Lake Campus facilities.
• Observe patient status and promptly report changes to the RN.
• Support nursing team and mentor other Nursing Assistants.

Skills

General experience

English proficiency

Nursing assistance knowledge

Education

Two years above high school with healthcare courses

Bachelor's degree in health care field

Job description

Summary

The Nursing Assistant is a member of the Float Team - providing assistance to the providers - nursing leadership team - registered nurses - and other team members. This Patient Care service line cares for patients admitted to the American Lake Campus. Patients may have a combination of acute or chronic health conditions - diminished cognitive functioning - including dementia - mild to severe disability - or receiving palliative or hospice care.

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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements GS-4 NA 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 - 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 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 NA (Full Performance Level) 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 in subparagraph (c) below
• 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 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: 3 years of experience 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05 Physical Requirements: There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019 - updated on 4/17/2026.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional PROVISION OF CARE: The position provides care in the Community Living Center (CLC) - Domiciliary (DOM) - and Blind Rehabilitation units
• The Nursing Assistant develops their practice and adherence to a high level of respect and knowledge of veteran patient rights and responsibilities
• The Nursing Assistant's practice includes all activities of daily living - and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the veteran patient to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life
• The Nursing Assistant supports the unit operations and can be assigned clinical and non-clinical duties
• Duties listed are from the GS-05 level
• They include but are not limited to: Participates in activity and actions to improve the quality of care for veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention
• that includes learning to implement the organization's prevention guidelines on falls and pressure sores - and the veteran's specific plan of care
• Ensures the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet
• Supervises patients and can mentor other NA's in personal hygiene - rest and eating
• Feeds and bathes patients who require assistance
• Helps patients in and out of bed - and with mobile devices
• Instructs and assists patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living
• Provides care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions
• Maintains privacy of patient and staff
• Performs and can mentor other NA's in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs - EKGs - weight - height - intake and output - post-mortem care - simple treatments such as hot and cold packs - changes clean or sterile dressings - applies external catheters - and gives catheter care
• Maintains oxygen therapy as directed by the RN - assignment - or written care plan - to include management and operation of oxygen tanks
• Performs assistive cough and deep breathing exercises
• Performs and/or instructs patients in learning range of motion exercise - turning and positioning - ambulation - and other routine care procedures
• Prepares patients for tests - examinations - treatments and for surgery
• Collect's specimens such as urine - sputum and stool
• Labels specimens for laboratory examinations
• Performs blood glucose tests as appropriate
• Cleans and maintains equipment with appropriate RME disinfectant
• Initiates Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation in accordance with established Medical Center policy and initiates other emergency procedures as necessary - including fire and disaster
• Demonstrates safe body mechanics
• Observes and reports patient's physical and mental status - reporting unusual changes to the RN
• Report's information obtained from patients and or family and participates in developing a plan of care
• Assists with admission - discharge - and transfer of patients
• Performs other assignments designated by the nurse in charge that are essential to the care of patients and appropriate to his/her level of training
• Knowledge of safe handling practices (i.e. - precautions and measures for handling of hazardous waste) working with patients who receive Hazardous Medications and the disposal of bodily fluids contaminated with Hazardous Medications including knowledge of unit radiation safety precautions
• Work Schedule: Night Shift - 7:30 pm - 8 am and 11:30 pm - 8 am with rotating weekends/holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized