Nursing Assistant - Medical/Surgical

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking three full-time Nursing Assistants to join the Medical/Surgical Unit in Nursing Service located in Marion, IL. You will be part of a dedicated nursing team caring for acutely ill Veterans with complex health issues requiring constant monitoring.

Under RN supervision, you will perform vital sign checks, hygiene care, and patient transfers, and you will receive training in telemetry and cardiac monitoring to support patient safety and quality of care.

Qualifications

• BLS certification required prior to employment.
• Experience caring for acutely ill Veterans is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Take and record patient vital signs and monitor patients.
• Administer skin care treatments to promote healing.
• Facilitate oral care and hygiene and maintain dentures.
• Ensure room cleanliness and proper setup of terminal rooms.
• Assist with bedpans/urinals, ostomy care, and bowel/bladder routine.
• Assist patients with feeding and document intake/output.
• Aid in patient transfers and mobility using equipment.
• Assist with sterile procedures and oxygen setup; monitor telemetry.
• Communicate observations during health team conferences and ensure handoffs.

Skills

BLS Certification

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The Marion VA Health Care System is seeking three (3) full-time Nursing Assistants within our Medical/Surgical Unit in Nursing Service located in Marion, IL. The Nursing Assistant works as an important part of a nursing team caring for acutely ill Veterans with complex, critical health issues requiring constant monitoring and intervention.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Medical-Surgical NA operates under the supervision of the RN, carrying out various responsibilities as outlined below. Additionally, the incumbent will receive training in cardiac monitoring and essential tasks associated with the telemetry system.

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Take and record patient vital signs Administer skin care treatments to prevent complications and promote healing, utilizing a range of cleansing baths and shampoos. Facilitate oral care and hygiene, including the maintenance of dentures.

Accountable for guaranteeing the correct arrangement of rooms and the cleanliness of terminal rooms suitable for each Reusable Medical Device (RMD) Provide assistance with the utilization of bedpans and urinals; applies external catheters and ensures their patency or drainage; aids in bowel and bladder training; supports the provision of ostomy care for established and uncomplicated ostomies.

Aid patients in self-feeding or provides assistance to those unable to feed themselves, monitoring and documenting all intake and output, excluding totals from intravenous and tube feeding. (May assist RN with administering Bolus Tube Feedings via G-tube, J-tube, GJ-tube by positioning the patient and passing supplies.) Reposition patients as necessary utilizing various supportive and comfort devices.

Aids or facilitates patient transfers and activities, such as ambulation, stretcher, and/or wheelchair to bed. Accompanies patients to tests as required. Provide support in the assembly of equipment for sterile procedures, as well as the administration of oxygen and the setup of vacuum/suction systems. Participate in health team conferences by reporting observations of patient's physical, mental, and emotional status.

Assist in diagnostic examinations by positioning/draping the patient and passing instruments and supplies. Engage in team communication to enhance all facets of patient safety and is responsible for ensuring effective handoff communication to incoming Nursing Assistants to prevent any lapses in care. Monitor cardiac rhythms on telemetry system Other duties as assigned. PLEASE NOTE: These positions require Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

If selected, Applicants will provide proof of current certifications prior to employment. Only BLS certification which included Automated External Defibrillator (AED) obtained from either the American Heart Association (AHA) or the Military Treatment Training Network (MTN) will be accepted. Work Schedule: Primarily night shift (7:30 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.) with 12-hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled and Primarily day shift (7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.) with 12-hour tours to include weekend and holiday rotation as scheduled. There are six (6) 12-hour shifts and one eight (8) hour shift per pay period Compressed/Flexible: Available. 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) 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. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 $37683 – $58811/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-11-05.

How many openings are available?

There are 3 openings for this position.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Competitive' hiring path.