Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

Location(s): Alexandria, Louisiana

Salary Range: $37173 - $60685 Per Year

Job Summary: The Nursing Assistant (NA) works in many in-patient and out-patient care areas within the medical center including, but not limited to, the Medical-Surgical Unit, the Urgent Care Clinic, Acute Care, Mental Health Unit, the Long-term Care Units, Ambulatory Health Care, and entrance gate duties. He/she will acquire and maintain unit base competencies for each of the above areas.

Major Duties:

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant (NA) communicates effectively with patients, families, interdisciplinary team members, and other personnel. Activities will include personal hygiene, assisting with meals, obtaining and recording vital signs accurately, assisting with ambulation/restorative care, providing a safe environment, escorting patients to/from diagnostic areas, delivery of lab specimens, travel escort for VA Travel Service, 1:1 observation, and other pertinent duties as directed by Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, or providers Duties include, but are not limited to: Skills in time management, priority setting, assessment and urgent intervention are required for this position. Safely and effectively uses equipment required for patient care with guidance. Use supplies and additional resources appropriately. Adheres to VA policies and procedures and makes frequent reference to them for questions. Checks and accurately records vital signs, weight and height measurements. Collects and labels specimens (urine, stool, sputum) following protocol and labels accurately. Functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff and others in the care of patients. May care for inpatient and behavioral health veterans as needed. Performs a basic range of procedures such as routine urinary catheter care; application of condom catheter; external application of cold or heat with RN direction; emptying of colostomy; or other duties as assigned by the RN after competency has been demonstrated. Able to identify significant changes or observations to the charge nurse. Maintains professional boundaries with patients, families, and employees with guidance. Utilizes feedback regarding performance and interpersonal skills to enhance professional development. Maintains and cleans reusable medical equipment (RME) per manufacturers' recommendations within their area. Work Schedule: Rotating 12 hour shifts Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 00159F, 00160F, 00161F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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, 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 Nursing Assistant occupation; OR, Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training]course of study [or program] of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 Nursing Assistant 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 the 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. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (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 below; 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 the need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavioral crises, etc. Preferred Experience: BLS certified. Nursing home 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 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. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation. see the Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that require normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 01/12/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12856399. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Application Deadline: 2026-01-12