Nursing Assistant
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Hartford, VT, United States
Overview
This Nursing Assistant position is in the Nursing service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont. It is an open continuous announcement open to the Public and will remain open until July 1, 2026. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager on a bi‑weekly basis.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
English language proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Experience—Education or Training: You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) months of general experience; One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation‑related training course of study or program of less than one year may also meet the experience requirements for GS‑3.
Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade: The candidate’s qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS‑03: None beyond the basic requirements. NAs at this grade are considered entry‑level and are closely supervised.
GS‑04: To qualify at the GS‑4 level you must meet the following: Experience—One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.) and Education—Successful completion of two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position.
GS‑04—KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan; Ability to observe patients/resident 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‑05: To qualify at the GS‑5 level you must meet the following: Experience—One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS‑4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment; 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.
GS‑05—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; Ability to serve as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and 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; Ability to recognize the need for basic life support, control bleeding, and assist with behavior crisis.
For example—recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crisis.
Duties
The nursing assistant must be able to perform with skill and effectiveness any and all duties associated with nursing assistant work.
Incumbent observes and reports physical, emotional, behavioral and psychosocial aspects of the patient's condition.
Provides complete personal hygiene care needs—turns and positions patients to maintain proper body alignment, lifts, ambulates, and transfers patients.
Promotes the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self‑care activities such as progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, oral care, and assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating, dressing, and undressing as needed.
Participates in the admission of patients by providing a secure, reassuring milieu—orienting patients to the unit, checking them for contraband when indicated, and assisting the registered nurse in implementing the nursing admission procedure.
Assists with treatments—prepares equipment, performs selected procedures after appropriate instruction, observes infection control practices, and implements bowel and bladder programs.
The candidate leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and civility.
They serve as members of the treatment team in motivating patients and directing their behavior toward achieving treatment plan goals.
Work schedule: multiple shifts/schedules available.
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% 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.
Functional Statement #: 405‑F1023, 405‑F1024, 405‑F1112. This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
This position is covered by a special rate.
Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
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This Nursing Assistant position is in the Nursing service at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction, Vermont. It is an open continuous announcement open to the Public and will remain open until July 1, 2026. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager on a bi‑weekly basis.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.
English language proficiency: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Experience—Education or Training: You must meet one of the following to meet the basic requirements for a Nursing Assistant (NA): Six (6) months of general experience; One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation‑related training course of study or program of less than one year may also meet the experience requirements for GS‑3.
Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements stated above, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade: The candidate’s qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade.
GS‑03: None beyond the basic requirements. NAs at this grade are considered entry‑level and are closely supervised.
GS‑04: To qualify at the GS‑4 level you must meet the following: Experience—One (1) year of experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.) and Education—Successful completion of two (2) years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a field of study appropriate to the specialization of the position.
GS‑04—KSAs: Ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to the completion of the nurse care plan; Ability to observe patients/resident 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‑05: To qualify at the GS‑5 level you must meet the following: Experience—One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS‑4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment; 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.
GS‑05—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; Ability to serve as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with the coordination of their orientation and 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; Ability to recognize the need for basic life support, control bleeding, and assist with behavior crisis.
For example—recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, and assisting with behavior crisis.
Duties
The nursing assistant must be able to perform with skill and effectiveness any and all duties associated with nursing assistant work.
Incumbent observes and reports physical, emotional, behavioral and psychosocial aspects of the patient's condition.
Provides complete personal hygiene care needs—turns and positions patients to maintain proper body alignment, lifts, ambulates, and transfers patients.
Promotes the physical independence of the patient by encouraging and teaching individual patients and groups of patients in self‑care activities such as progressive steps in personal hygiene, bathing, oral care, and assists in teaching and encouraging other care activities such as eating, dressing, and undressing as needed.
Participates in the admission of patients by providing a secure, reassuring milieu—orienting patients to the unit, checking them for contraband when indicated, and assisting the registered nurse in implementing the nursing admission procedure.
Assists with treatments—prepares equipment, performs selected procedures after appropriate instruction, observes infection control practices, and implements bowel and bladder programs.
The candidate leads by example in defining a customer service culture to ensure that all customers are treated with respect and civility.
They serve as members of the treatment team in motivating patients and directing their behavior toward achieving treatment plan goals.
Work schedule: multiple shifts/schedules available.
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% 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.
Functional Statement #: 405‑F1023, 405‑F1024, 405‑F1112. This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
This position is covered by a special rate.
Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
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