Job Details

Nursing Assistant Position

This Nursing Assistant position is located in the Nursing Service (Patient Care) at the Central Alabama VA Medical Center in Montgomery, Alabama. This is a full time position with flexible 12 hour shifts and hours variable workdays.

Responsibilities:

Provides direct care for complex patients.

a) Personal Hygiene (bathing, oral care, hair/nail care, etc)

b) Physical Comfort

c) Activity, Exercise, Rest

d) Nutrition (feedings)

e) Elimination (including foley care)

f) Prevention of Skin Breakdown

g) Rehabilitative Aspects of Care

Obtains vital signs, including orthostatic vital signs

Performs Snellen acuity eye exam

Utilizes point-of-care glucometer machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned patient

Labels specimens for the laboratory

Assists the Provider or Nurse with wound dressings (applying and removing bandages)

Transports/escorts patients to various areas of the facility (i.e., Radiology Department, Emergency Department, Medical Surgical Unit, Intensive Care Unit, etc.) via wheelchair or stretcher

Cares for patients who require an increased level of patient observation (i.e., one-to-one, direct line of sight, etc.)

Encourages patients to maintain self-care

Performs a variety of supporting diagnostic duties which include taking, recording, and reporting to Registered Nurse (RN) pertinent observations

Performs a range of treatment duties that may include applying hot and cold packs

Monitors and documents patient intake and output; reports deviations timely and accurately

Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard operating procedures to care for the patient for such procedures, but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressings, and application of braces and prosthetic devices

Assists the Provider or Nurse in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (i.e., setting up trays or instruments to be used in examinations)

Utilizes techniques in observing and reporting subtle changes in the patient's condition (i.e., slight change in color, pulse, respiration, temperature or behavior requiring prompt intervention)

Recognizes and initiates resuscitative measures in cases of cardiopulmonary arrest, respiratory arrest, or choking

Efficiently records patient's information and condition in the computerized patient record system (CPRS), using established format

Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills

Utilizes principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients, and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings (i.e., utilization of patient lift and transfer equipment)

Sets up patient care related equipment and supplies, and uses appropriately (i.e., oxygen delivery systems, portable and wall suction, continuous cardiac/blood pressure/pulse oximetry monitoring, etc.)

Performs 12-lead electrocardiograms with proper lead placement

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

Provides and maintains an environment that is clean, safe, and free of unnecessary clutter and noise

Communicates effectively and is open, honest, and transparent

Removes defective equipment, reports hazard, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties

Work Schedule: Monday-Sunday flexible, 12 hour Days, Evenings or Nights, 80 hours per pay period.

Flexible Schedule: 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% 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 #: 0000

Requirements

Conditions of Employment:

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.

Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.

English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are 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.

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