Summary

The Float Pool Nursing Assistant provides personal nursing care to patients on inpatient medical units including Acute Medicine - 3 West - Telemetry - ICU - the Emergency Department - and to substance abuse and psychiatric patients. The objectives for care are set in the treatment plan as established by the multidisciplinary treatment team.

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until November 30 - 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 9 - 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled**** 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
• English Language Proficiency
• NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Experience or Education or Training
• (1) Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA
• OR - (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR - (3) 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. OR - (4) 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).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: GS-3 Nursing Assistant Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4 Nursing AssistantExperience
• One (1) 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 two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care - healthcare 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 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 Experience
• One (1) 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 in subparagraph (c) 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 need for basic life support - controlling bleeding and assisting with behavior crisis - etc
• Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as a Nurse Assistant or related field
• 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The NA may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The NA may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The NA must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• The NA must complete annual employee health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment
• These physical requirements will be consistent with VA Directive Handbook 5019

Duties

• Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran
• Maintains positive therapeutic relationships 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
• 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
• Engages in-group activities such as off-station trips - reality orientation - current events and other therapeutic groups
• Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Is trained to set up patient care related equipment
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Assists with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Works as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• Safeguards the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Uses proper safety practices
• Utilizes equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Utilizes 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
• Communicates with people of varied educational - ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Cares for the veteran his/her priority in all aspects of work
• Works as a member of a team in all assignments - and is learning to be an effective team member
• Completes orientation - annual competency requirements - and on-going mandatory education
• Completes all mandatory trainings within appropriate timelines
• Participates in annual competency assessment and validation
• Demonstrates the knowledge necessary to provide care appropriate to the age related needs of the Veteran patients served in his/her assigned service are Work Schedule: Variable days & nights including weekends and holidays
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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 #: 53340A
• 53341A
• 53342A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized