Nursing Assistant-Intensive Care Unit

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Wilkes-Barre (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States seeks a Nursing Assistant who delivers age-specific care to Veterans under RN supervision. The role emphasizes safety, compassion, and adherence to established procedures across inpatient and outpatient settings.

The position outlines qualifications, including English proficiency and formal training requirements, and involves working with a care team to support patient well-being, monitor conditions, and document

Qualifications

• US citizenship and English proficiency required for VA positions.
• Six months of general experience or education/training as NA.
• Eligibility criteria include GS-3 to GS-5 as per VA standards.

Responsibilities

• Assist in full range of nursing care under RN/LPN supervision.
• Use equipment for basic diagnostic/treatment procedures (bladder scan, CPM, EKG).
• Maintain patient safety and provide one-to-one observations when required.
• Record vitals, I&O, and care documentation per policy.
• Support nursing team across units and adapt to patient needs.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Observation

Equipment operation

Education

Two years of education above high school with courses related to nursing care

Completion of an intensive occupational training course for nursing assistants (<1 year)

Bachelor's degree with health care courses (optional)

Job description

Summary

Nursing Assistant is an individual who delivers age specific care to adult Veterans according to established policies and procedures under the direct supervision of a registered nurse (RN).

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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Experience or Education or Training
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - 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 (1) GS-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignments - Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• (2) GS-4 NA (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 - healthcare 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
• (d)Assignment
• Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs or other health care professionals
• In this role - the NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care - or other patients who are in acute - sub-acute - or chronic states of illness
• The NA in this role provides care under close supervision and refers issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - or other health care professionals
• (3) GS-5 NA (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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below
• OR - (b) 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 (c) 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
• (d)Assignment
• This is the full performance level for NAs
• NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care - home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute - sub acute or chronic states of illness
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• NAs at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role
• 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
• 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)
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations - operative/invasive procedures - or home settings
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Major Duties Include but not limited to: Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in an inpatient/outpatient setting under the direction of the Registered Nurse and/or Licensed Vocational Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse
• Ability to properly use equipment - materials and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures such as bladder scan - continuous passive motion device - specimen collection - etc
• This includes safety & 1:1 watch observations following PMDB competency
• Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents - families - interdisciplinary team and other personnel
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance
• For example - recognizing need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis etc
• Performs nursing care - as applicable to the Veteran - including all aspects of personal care and grooming
• Performs support duties for diagnostic procedures - which include preparing the Veteran and monitoring the Veteran's condition
• Under the direction of the RN - monitors bladder and bowel functioning - tracking of I&O and hydration
• Under the direction of the RN - provides health care services to the Veteran to include - but not limited to obtaining the Veteran's vital signs - or electrocardiogram (EKG)
• activities of daily living
• and post-mortem care
• Under the direction of the RN - monitors psychiatric symptoms - assisting in medical and psychiatric emergencies
• Maintains patient safety and the safety of the environment
• Provide one-to-one observations for SV watch - elopement watch and safety watch to ensure patient safety
• Provides accurate documentation per policy - i.e
• sitter notes - itemized belongings - vital signs - I & O - etc
• The NA float can work in multiple areas include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - Emergency Department (ED) - Medical/Surgical/Telemetry (Med/Surg/Tele) - Community Living Center - Hospice - and Inpatient Acute Psychiatry Unit - SAARTP (Substance abuse and alcohol treatment unit)
• Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule:7:00am-3:30pm or 3:00pm-11:30pm rotating weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized