Nursing Assistant (Community Living Center)

Summary This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill two (2) vacant Nursing Assistant (NA) positions within the Community Living Center at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Resumes will be referred to the hiring manager once the vacancy closes on Thursday, December 4th. You will receive an email notification regarding your eligibility, qualification and referral status, if applicable. Responsibilities The Nursing Assistant (NA) position in the Community Living Center (CLC) provides direct patient care to Veterans requiring long-term care, rehabilitation, or palliative services. The NA works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and plays a vital role in supporting the interdisciplinary team by assisting with daily living activities, monitoring patient conditions, and promoting a safe, respectful, and therapeutic environment. This position requires flexibility in schedule, including weekends and holidays. Candidates must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to Veteran-centered care. Opportunities for career development and advancement within the VA system are available. Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to : Provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and feeding. Measure and record vital signs, intake and output, and report changes in patient condition to nursing staff. Assist with mobility, transfers, and ambulation using proper body mechanics and assistive devices. Maintain a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment for residents. Support residents with cognitive impairments using appropriate communication and behavioral techniques. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to care planning. Document care provided in the electronic medical record accurately and timely. Assist with restorative care programs and recreational activities as directed. Provide emotional support and companionship to residents and families. Adhere to infection control and safety protocols at all times. Work Schedule : Variable; six 12 hours shifts and one 8 hour shift or two 12 hour shifts and one 8 hour shift including every other weekend and holidays required. Recruitment Incentive (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 off 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 Authorized Virtual : This is not a virtual position Functional Statement # : 000000 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 (). 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 evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider : your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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 : Nursing Assistants 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 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) : None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) : (a) EXPERIENCE : One year of specialized experience as an Nursing Assistant 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 two (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 (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 GS-5 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) : (a) EXPERIENCE : One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) 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 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. Preferred Experience : At least one year of experience as a Nursing Assistant in a long-term care or geriatric setting. Completion of a state-approved Nursing Assistant training program. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Familiarity with electronic health records (e.g., CPRS or similar systems). Experience working with residents with dementia or cognitive impairments. Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, date 05 / 2025. 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. 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 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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 Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.