Nursing Assistant (Acute Care)

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.

01Basic 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 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: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grandfathering provision(only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria): All NAs employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.

Grade Requirements. Creditable experience: Knowledge of Current Practice. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the current practice. Quality of Experience. To be creditable, NA experience must be documented on the application or resume and verified in an employment reference, or through other independent means. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a NA is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek.

For example, a NA employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-3 (Entry Level): Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-4 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): 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. iv Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families and other health professionals GS-5 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 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 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 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.

02Physical Requirements

There are no physical requirements for this occupation per OCHCO Communications email to VA Handbook 5019, updated on 4/17/2026.

The NA on the inpatient acute care units develop their practice and adhere to a high level of respect and knowledge of Veteran patient rights and responsibilities. The NAs practice includes all activities of daily living, and general nursing duties and tasks to help the team restore the Veteran patient to the highest level of independence or remain comfortable toward the end of life. The duties listed below are the GS-5 Full Performance Level, GS-3 and GS-4 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision.

Participate in activities and actions to improve the quality of care for Veteran patients to include fall and pressure sore prevention. Ensure the Veteran is wearing the correct identification bracelet. Adhere to responsibility of timely maintenance of all education required, including TMS, BLS, HIPAA, and Privacy training. Supervise patients and mentor other NAs in personal hygiene, rest, and eating. Feed and bathe patients who require assistance. Help patients in and out of bed, and with mobile devices.

Instruct and assist patients in the skills necessary to gain independence in activities of daily living. Contribute to a safe, clean, clutter-free, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff. Follow Medical Center and Nursing Service policies and procedures. Provide care to patients in isolation and patients on chemotherapy precautions. Maintain privacy of patients and staff.

Perform and mentor other NAs in a variety of general nursing duties including measurement and recording of vital signs, EKGs, weight, height, intake and output, post-mortem care, simple treatments such as hot and cold packs, change clean or sterile dressings, apply external catheters, and catheter care. Maintain oxygen therapy as directed by the RN, assignment, or written care plan, to include management and operation of oxygen tanks.

Perform or instruct patients in learning range of motion exercise, turning and positioning, ambulation, and other routine care procedures. Prepare patients for tests, examinations, treatments, and for surgery. Collect and label specimens such as urine, sputum, and stool for laboratory examinations. Demonstrate safe body mechanics. Observe and report patient physical and mental status, report unusual changes to the RN. Report information obtained from patients or family and participate in developing a plan of care.

Assist with admission, discharge, and transfer of patients. Effective communication skills for reporting and recording pertinent information to the nursing and medical staff. Knowledge and skill sufficient to use standardized nursing principles, procedures, equipment, and supplies for providing nursing care to assigned patients. Knowledge of basic human body structure, function, diseases, and skill sufficient to care for patients appropriate to current level.

Knowledge of developmental needs (cognitive, emotional, physical, age related) of the young adult to the geriatric age category. Knowledge and skill of aseptic techniques. Demonstrate knowledge of proper body mechanics and skill in patient transfer procedures and other items requiring resident transfer or movement. Knowledge of special dietary needs, (i.e., patient unable to chew food for lack of teeth or a patient who is unable to feed self).

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Nightshift, Compressed Tour of 7:30pm to 8:00am / 11:30pm to 8:00am with rotating weekends. Days to be determined. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): 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) 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 or remote position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.