Nursing Assistant (Intermittent and Temporary)

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, seeks Nursing Assistants for the Intermittent (Per Diem) Float Pool in Northampton, MA. You will provide direct patient care under RN/LPN supervision in multiple units, including CLC and mental health settings. The role emphasizes safety, accurate documentation, and compassionate bedside care.

Applicants should meet basic NA requirements and English proficiency; the assignment ends after a year unless extended. Per diem shifts vary.

Qualifications

• Six months of general experience or education/training related to nursing care.
• English language proficiency as required by VA standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient/resident care under RN or LPN supervision.
• Assist in multiple areas including CLC, Acute Mental Health, and RRTP.
• Monitor vital signs, intake and output, and hydration under supervision.
• Perform personal care, grooming, and safety watch as required.
• Document care performed and maintain patient safety per policy.

Skills

Patient care

Communication

Safety monitoring

Vital signs

Education

Two years of college with health-related courses

Bachelor's degree in health care related field

Job description

Summary

These Nursing Assistant positions will be in Nursing Service in the Float Pool as Intermittent (Per Diem). They will provide direct patient/resident care under the direction of a Registered Nurse and/or a Licensed Practical Nurse. Will perform assigned duties in a manner that promotes quality healthcare - positive and outstanding customer service - and the maintenance of an environment committed to serving the Veteran.

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
• 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-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)
• Grade Requirements
• Creditable Experience
• Knowledge of Current Practice
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with the current practice
• Quality of Experience
• To be creditable - NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference - or through other independent means
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a NA employed 20 hours a week - or on a 1/2-time basis - would receive 1 full time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service
• 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) 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 GS-4 NA (Intermediate or Developmental Level) 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
• 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
• 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 listed
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Mental Health and Long-term Care 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 GS5
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5
• Physical Requirements: Work involves varying periods of sitting - standing and walking
• Working with Veterans/residents requires bending - stooping - teaching - lifting - balancing - kneeling - pushing - i.e. - wheelchairs - geri-chairs - litters and similar activities
• Also - it may be necessary to perform such activities as CPR and psychiatric intervention at a unit-specific level
• An employee assigned to this position description may be assigned to work any shift.

Duties

• These 3 Nursing Assistant positions are Intermittent (Per Diem) and Temporary
• The assignment will end after a year - unless extended based on the needs of the Service
• A 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)
• The NA float can work in multiple areas which include the Community Living Center (CLC) - Acute Mental Health/Acute Detox - and Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP)
• 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
• 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 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 including CLC - Acute Mental Health/Acute Detox - RRTP Performs other duties as assigned Work Schedule: INTERMITTENT-Float Pool (Work Schedule will be discussed during interview) - PER DIEM ALL SHIFTS Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F08228