Nursing Assistant - Emergency Department

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

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

02Experience

Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA. Education or Training. The candidate must have one year above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. English Language Proficiency.

Nursing Assistants appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: GS-3 (Entry Level). There is no additional experience or education requirements beyond the basic requirements.

GS-4 Experience/Education: 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 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 Experience/Education: This is the full performance level for Nursing Assistants. Nursing Assistants at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home or community living care or other patients/residents who are in acute, sub acute or chronic states of illness.

The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Nursing Assistants at this level also assume more of a peer education/mentorship role.

03Experience

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 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 Nursing Assistants 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. Grandfathering Provisions.

All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA as of March 12, 2015 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 reentry to the occupation.

04Preferred Experience

At least one (1) year of direct patient care experience in a hospital or nursing home setting. Experience monitoring vital signs, performing EKGs, upper airway suctioning, and routine diagnostic tests. Experience assisting physicians and nurses with the care and treatment of medical, surgical, psychiatric, or outpatient patients. Experience setting up and assisting with complex medical equipment, including respirators, surgical wound suction equipment, and traction devices.

Experience assisting with diagnostic examinations and procedures, including lumbar punctures, minor surgical procedures, pap smears, bone marrow procedures, and chest tube insertions. Experience recognizing and reporting changes in patient conditions, including excessive vomiting, bleeding, drainage, skin integrity, and airway concerns. Experience recognizing emergency situations and providing appropriate interventions while awaiting assistance.

Experience documenting patient care information, observations, and changes in patient conditions in medical records or electronic health records (EHR). Experience identifying and reporting subtle changes in patient behavior or clinical conditions. Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and experience performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard.

05Physical Requirements

Work requires walking, standing, stooping, lifting, bending, pushing, turning, and at times carrying heavy loads. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics and have stamina to withstand stress.

Duties include but are not limited to: The Nursing Assistant (NA) provides care to Veterans with acute, chronic, and behavioral health needs in a fast-paced, high-acuity Emergency Department. The NA performs advanced nursing assistant duties, monitors high-risk Veterans, and recognizes and responds to emergencies, including the need for basic life support, bleeding control, and behavioral crises.

Duties include managing complex tasks, providing continuous patient observation, assisting with patient care and safety, and supporting interdisciplinary communication and efficient ED operations. Direct Patient Care (Complex Level) Provides advanced ADL support (complex hygiene, feeding, mobility requiring specialized equipment). Independently performs and documents vital signs, neurological checks, bladder scans, oxygen monitoring, intake/output, and pain assessments.

Performs specimen collection and simple dressing changes with minimal supervision. Supports trauma and rapid-response workflows by preparing rooms, equipment, and patient positioning. Recognizes and immediately reports subtle shifts in condition requiring urgent intervention. Emergency Department Safety, Observation & Behavioral Support Conducts 1:1 observation, continuous monitoring, and behavioral-risk supervision to maintain safety during high-acuity and psychiatric presentations.

Supports de-escalation and uses therapeutic communication in line with PMDB and ED policies. Performs rapid environmental safety checks and identifies ligature or elopement risks. Clinical & Technical Support Sets up, operates, and maintains specialized ED equipment (oxygen delivery devices, suction systems, telemetry leads). Assists during complex admissions, transfers, and discharges involving multidisciplinary coordination.

Supports emergency procedures such as chest-pain protocols, sepsis alerts, stroke alerts, and trauma evaluations within competency Virtual Monitoring & Technology-Enhanced Safety (if assigned) Safely operates virtual monitoring platforms and observes multiple patients simultaneously. Provides verbal redirection, initiates emergency notifications, and escalates changes requiring RN involvement. Performs pre-shift checks of monitoring systems and reports technical malfunctions promptly.

Documents safety events, triggers, interventions, and escalations using standardized templates. Interdisciplinary Communication & Collaboration Actively participates in ED huddles, treatment planning, and coordination meetings. Communicates changes in patient condition clearly to RNs/LVNs and informs the team of recurring safety, behavior, or clinical patterns. Educates and mentors GS-3 and GS-4 NAs on ED protocols, equipment, and workflow.

Environment of Care & Infection Control Maintains clean, safe, and fully stocked ED treatment spaces. Applies isolation protocols (airborne, droplet, contact) consistently. Identifies and reports hazards, equipment failures, and infection-control risks. Documentation Documents assessments, interventions, safety events, observations, and responses in the EHR promptly and accurately. Uses ED-specific templates when available (e.g., virtual monitoring, observation flowsheets).

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Day Shift, 7:00am-7:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized