Nursing Assistant (Open and Continuous Announcement)
24 hours ago
East Orange
This is an open continuous announcement until December 31st, 2025. 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. 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 maximum 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. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. 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. 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 . The full performance