Summary

This is an open continuous announcement until December 31st - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. Positions will be within all specialties at both the East Orange and Lyons campuses. The Nursing Assistant (NA) is responsible for providing safe - effective care to patients/residents. Duties include taking-recording-reporting vital signs accurately - assisting ambulation and personal care - and other duties as directed by RNs - LPNs - and provider.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Six months of general experience
• Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of an 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. 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: Nothing beyond the indicated basic requirements above GS-4 Nursing assistant: Experience: One year of specialized experience as a CNA 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 1
• Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan and recovery of patients/residents
• 2
• Ability to observe patients/residents' or resident's physical or emotional status and refer deviations and/or problems to supervisor in a timely manner
• 3
• 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
• 4
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents - their families and other health professionals
• GS-5 Nursing Assistant: 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 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 Demonstrate the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): 1
• 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
• 2
• 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
• 3
• 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+ years of nursing assistant experience
• 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 35 lbs. - carrying - 1 hour - heavy carrying - 35 pounds and over - pushing (4 hours) - reaching over shoulder - both hands required - walking (4 hours) - standing (4 hours) - kneeling - repeated bending - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - ability to distinguish colors.

Duties

• This is an Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) that will be used to fill multiple nursing assistant vacancies at the East Orange (EO) and Lyons facilities of the VA NJ Health Care System
• Eligible candidates will be referred as long as there are vacancies
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The specific duties of the position will be based on the unit/assignment for which the applicant is selected
• General nursing assistant duties include - but are not limited to: Will be assigned to Veterans requiring nursing care in all areas where nursing is provided
• Ensures all areas of the unit are clean and neat
• Performs preventative - rehabilitative - restorative nursing procedures: e.g. - active and/or passive range of motion exercises (ROM) to assist and motivate the Veteran to achieve maxim nm independence in activities of daily living
• Assembles and prepares equipment for procedures and assists the nurse or physician with dressings - infusions - blood work - spinal tap - bone marrow aspiration - cut down - traction set-up - hypothermia therapy - etc
• Performs Veteran care treatments such as simple dressings not requiring medications (e.g
• protective dressing on ankles - heels - elbows - etc.)
• Takes emergency measures calls for the nurse and/or physician and assists with resuscitation procedure in cardiac and/or respiratory arrest
• Responds to call bells timely
• Escorts Veterans to on-station and off-station activities/appointments as needed/assigned Serves as a role model and leader for Veterans and peers by displaying a positive attitude and team spirit including assisting new NAs with their orientation and assessing their practical experience while in a clinical setting
• Encourages and supports appropriate and independent behaviors of Veterans
• Work Schedule: Multiple tours - to be discussed during the interview
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized - may be paid to highly qualified candidates within Mental Health and Geriatrics and Extended Care
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): May be 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 nursing assistant 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized