Nursing Assistant-SCI
- Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills.
- Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations.
- Learning to performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor.:
a. Personal Hygiene
b. Physical comfort
c. Activity, Exercise, Rest
d. Nutrition
e. Elimination
f. Prevention of Skin Breakdown
g. Rehabilitative Aspects of Care - Beginning to engage in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups.
- Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients.
- Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team.
- Learning to utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment.
- Uses proper safety practices.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
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.
- Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
- Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
- English Language Proficiency: 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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 - 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents.
2 Ability to observe patients/residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3 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.
4 Ability to communicate effectively with patient / residents, their families and other health professionals.
GS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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.
2 Ability to communicate orally with patients/ residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new nursing assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/ assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
3 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:
Spinal Cord Injury
Geriatrics
Long-Term Care
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit . VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G46
The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: . 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: .
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
- Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. .
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
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.
- Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
- Physical Requirements. Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
- English Language Proficiency: 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 No specialized experience beyond the basic requirements.
GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or experience in another medical field, 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 - 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. In addition to the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patient/residents.
2 Ability to observe patients/residents physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner.
3 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.
4 Ability to communicate effectively with patient / residents, their families and other health professionals.
GS- 5 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 assignments -OR- 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. In addition the above, applicant must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1 Ability to assist in the full range of nursing care to patient/resident 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.
2 Ability to communicate orally with patients/ residents, families, interdisciplinary team and other personnel. This includes serving as a preceptor to new nursing assistants by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and overseeing/ assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting.
3 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:
Spinal Cord Injury
Geriatrics
Long-Term Care
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit . VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G46
The full performance level of this vacancy is 5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 3 to 5.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight pulling (up to 8 hours); Pushing (up to 8 hours); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 8 hours); standing (up to 8 hours); kneeling (2 to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 8 hours); both legs required; hearing (aid permitted).
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: . 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: .
Additional information
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit at .
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.