Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant - Surgical Post-Operative Unit

Join the Minneapolis VA Medical Center as a Nursing Assistant in our Surgical Post-Operative Unit. Provide compassionate, hands-on care to Veterans recovering from surgery in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Provide direct patient care to post-operative Veterans, including bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, vital signs, and monitoring. Support nursing staff with procedures, documentation, and patient transport, and promote patient comfort, dignity, and recovery.

The job is open to the public, including U.S. citizens, nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. It is also open to current federal employees of the hiring agency and other agencies.

Major duties include, but are not limited to :

• Provide direct care to post-operative patients, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and mobility assistance.
• Monitor and document vital signs, intake and output, and report changes in patient condition to the nursing team.
• Assist with surgical recovery protocols, including turning, repositioning, and early ambulation to prevent complications.
• Support nursing staff during procedures, such as wound care, catheterization, and dressing changes.
• Transport patients safely to and from diagnostic tests, procedures, and post-operative recovery areas.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment, ensuring infection control and patient safety standards are met.
• Provide emotional support and comfort to Veterans recovering from surgery, promoting dignity and respect.
• Document care provided in the electronic medical record system in accordance with VA policies and procedures.

Work Schedule : Day / Evening Shifts, with rotating weekends and holidays

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized

Physical requirements : You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Conditions of employment :

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications : Basic Requirements :

Grade Determinations :

In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.

GS-03 - None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following : EXPERIENCE : One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or 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 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, in addition you must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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 residents' 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-05 - To qualify at the GS-5 level you must meet the following : 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. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients / residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients / residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. OR, EDUCATION : Successful completion of 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, in addition you must demonstrate the following 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.

Reference : For more information on this qualification standard, please visit the VA Qualification Standards.

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