Nursing Assistant - Community Living Center (CLC)

This Nursing Assistant position is located within the Community Living Center (CLC) of the Nursing, Operations section at VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds, MA.

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.
• Experience or 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

• GS-3 NA (Entry Level)
  • Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
  • Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised
• GS-4 NA (Intermediate or Developmental Level)
  • 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). In addition, the candidate must 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.
  • Assignment.
    • Individuals assigned as GS-4 NAs are considered to be at the intermediate or developmental level and are closely supervised. NAs at this grade level function as a member of the nursing care team and assist higher graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team 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.
• GS-5 NA (Full Performance Level).
  • 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 listed; 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.
  • Assignment.
    • This is the full performance level for NAs. NAs 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.

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).

Preferred Experience: Long term care or short term rehabilitation

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS3 to GS5.

Physical Requirements: Work involves varying periods of sitting, standing and walking. Working with Veterans/residents requires bending, stooping, teaching, lifting, balancing, kneeling, pushing, i.e., wheelchairs, geri-chairs, litters and similar activities. Also, it may be necessary to perform such activities as CPR and psychiatric intervention at a unit-specific level. An employee assigned to this position description may be assigned to work any shift.

Responsibilities:

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT intended for current and future vacancies at the location listed. This announcement will remain open until the closing date of 7/9/2026, the date beyond which the system no longer accepts applications for an advertised position. Applications will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals based on the needs of the facility.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Nursing Assistants perform a range of nursing care activities while assigned to the Community Living Center (CLC).In addition to performing activities of daily living and documentation, the nursing assistant demonstrates an understanding of each member of the interdisciplinary team's role and appropriately communicates with members to promote positive outcomes as well as:

• Escorting Veterans/residents safely both on and off station.
• Is able to follow standard precautions and other infection control protocols as needed.
• Demonstrates knowledge of basic health care provider skills.
• Provides 1:1 or Safety Sitter nursing care to Veterans/residents who may require restraints or special observation.
• Understands Veteran's/resident's rights and responsibilities.
• Maintains a safe, secure environment for Veterans/residents, staff, significant others and visitors as addressed in the VAMC Safety Manual.
• Provides comprehensive physical care to Veterans/residents. Motivating Veterans/residents towards optimal level of functioning.
• Assesses data reflective of the Veteran's status and interprets the information needed to identify each Veteran's requirements relative to their age-specific needs and to provide care needed as described in the program's policies and procedures.
• Takes into consideration age-related differences of the various veteran populations with this institution.
• Meets the needs of customers while supporting the Medical Center and Service missions.
• Consistently communicates and treats customers (Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and all Medical Center staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner.
• Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures.
• Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately.
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHS & RA policy.
• Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion.
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. as set out in the computer access agreement that the employee signs.
• Uses the Computerized Veteran Record System (CPRS) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System.
• Establishes/Maintains constructive working relationships with co-workers to accomplish performance goals, foster cooperation and team work.
• Exhibits a positive attitude and upholds VA Core Values ("I CARE") when interacting with residents, employees, families, and members of the community.
• Identifies changes in resident condition both physical and emotional and reports these in a timely manner while initiating appropriate action under guidance.
• The Nursing Assistant reports directly to the Nurse Manager of the assigned unit.

Work Schedule: 3:30pm to 12:00am with rotating weekends and holidays.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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)
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 #: 631-F1540, 631-F1541, 631-F1542
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $417