Nursing Assistant (Hospice)

Summary

This JOA will be used to fill one (1) vacant Nursing Assistant position within the Hospice unit in the GEC Department at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Resumes will be referred to the hiring manager once the vacancy closes on Friday, December 5th. You will receive an email notification when your resume has been referred to the hiring manager, if applicable.

Duties

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Hospice's mission is to provide quality end-of-life care to Veterans. The goal of the unit is to promote quality in life, dignity in death and support in bereavement for veterans living with a life-threatening illness and to promote the dignity and independence of our patients to the greatest extent possible. The program is open to Veterans who have a life limiting illness or end-stage chronic disease. An interdisciplinary as well as a multidisciplinary team of professionals work collaboratively promoting the relief of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual suffering of our veterans and those who care for them. The fluctuating acuity levels vary from one-to-one monitoring, close observation, with room designated closest to nurses station for safety, hourly rounding, bedside shift reporting and handoff is a standard.

The GEC - Hospice Nursing Assistant functions under the supervision of an RN on the unit and is responsible for but not limited to completing activities of daily living (bathing, toileting, dressing, grooming), 1 : 1 supervision when needed, the reporting of abnormal findings, accompanying to appointments, and engaging resident in activities.

Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to :

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff
• Provides direct care for complex veterans
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role.
• Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms.
• Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal
• Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
• Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately
• Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices, monitoring of
• Works on small group activities with veterans / residents according to the patients / resident treatment plan.
• Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment.
• Other duties as assigned per Nurse Manager.

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

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Conditions of employment

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 :

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 :

GRADE DETERMINATIONS :

GS-3 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) : None beyond the Basic Requirements.

GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) :

OR,

AND

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) : In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs :

GS-5 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA) :

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) :

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 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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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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.