Nursing Assistant-Geriatric Extended Care

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Perry Point (MD); On-site; USD 44,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off (PTO)

Parental leave

Federal pension and retirement plan

Health/vision/dental insurance

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Nursing Assistant for Geriatric Extended Care. The role supports licensed staff across preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care for veterans with physical and behavioral health needs.

You will participate in assessments, care implementation, and evaluation under close supervision, with training opportunities and emphasis on patient safety and documentation.

Qualifications

• Duties include observing changes in residents and reporting to nursing staff.
• Provide direct care and participate in treatment planning meetings.
• Maintain charting and documentation of resident conditions and care actions.
• Infection control and safety procedures in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in assessments and implementation of nursing care under supervision.
• Utilize glucose monitoring equipment and report deviations.
• Administer basic nursing procedures (e.g., catheterization, dressings) per policy.
• Assist veterans with self-care using appropriate equipment and devices.

Skills

Glucose monitoring

Observation & assessment

Infection control

Team mentoring

Documentation

Tools

Tracheostomy care equipment

Job description

Nursing Assistant-Geriatric Extended Care

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Geriatric Extended Care (GEC) Nursing Assistant provides care to Veterans with physical and/or behavioral health issues. NAs support licensed nursing staff in preventive, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.

Key Responsibilities

The nursing assistant will develop skills in order to participate in assessing, implementing, and evaluating nursing care. Responsibilities will be completed under close supervision at all times as well as with appropriate training. Duties include but are not limited to; Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Provides direct care for complex veterans.

Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin color, appetite, etc., and takes action accordingly within the NAs assigned role. Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.

Monitor 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.

Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patient's/resident's treatment plan. Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as; lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.

Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran's/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient's/resident's.

Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison. Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NAs. Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate. Functions as a member of the unit base counsel.

Manages disruptive patient behavior and appropriately intervenes and requests assistance from other health care members. Appropriately initiates basic life support, takes appropriate action. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 80 hours bi-weekly-/Alternating weekends and holidays. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 Authorized.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: FS 512-25459-F, FS 512-25460-F, and SF 51225461-F
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements & Education

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 $44233 – $69632/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-26.

Who is eligible to apply?

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