Summary

PLEASE NOTE: Due to system updates - this job opportunity announcement will close earlyon 09/26/2025. Applications received by 11:59 pm ET on 9/26/2025 will be reviewed and referred to Hiring Managers - if found eligible and qualified. This Nursing Assistant position is in Nursing - Mental Health services at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located in White River Junction - Vermont. This position is a full-time position at 40 hours per week.

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 Nursing Assistant
• OR - One year of education above high school with courses related to the Nursing Assistant occupation
• OR - Completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related training course of study or program of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-03
• English Language Proficiency: Nursing Assistants 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-03 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level): Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-04 Nursing Assistant: Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant 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
• GS-05 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level): Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-04 level which demonstrates knowledge - skills - and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment
• 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 Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSA below: 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
• Preferred Experience: One year of Nursing Assistant experience
• Mental Health specialty preferred
• 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: The work requires the Nursing Assistant to be mobile throughout the Medical Center as needed - involving standing - walking - bending - pushing and lifting (moderate-heavy)
• The Nursing Assistant should be capable of prolonged standing/walking and be physically capable of pushing equipment.

Duties

• Nursing Assistant - vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Nursing-Assistant-Career-Flyer.pdf Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant (Mental Health) in Nursing Service at the White River Junction VA Medical Center will work in the inpatient clinic within the main hospital facility
• It is expected that the incumbent will possess/acquire the necessary skills in the specific tasks/tests/procedures to meet patient care and service needs specific to the organizational element to which assigned
• The broad nature of the assignments in performing a variety of basic technical support activities (EKG's - minor medical or surgical tests/procedures - etc.) and routine service oriented tasks (escort etc.) requires the Nursing Assistant to organize work flow in such a manner as to promote and enhance the timely provision of services to the Veteran
• The incumbent will normally be instructed by a licensed health care professional to perform specific tests/procedures/functions involving patients
• Serves as back up for the wards Medical Support Assistants (MSA's) if they need assistance with administrative duties
• Duties include but are not limited to: Performs assignments required of a Nursing Assistant and will uphold the standards of care as outlined by the Medical Center and the Service policies and procedures
• Cleans reusable medical equipment on the unit and maintains a neat and orderly patient care environment
• Treats all patients - families - co-workers and all customers with dignity - respect - and civility
• The incumbent performs duties related to patient care and ward administration
• The incumbent will interface with personal computer (PC) applications as well as numerous electronic medical record applications
• Provides care to patients with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting
• Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: interacting with both internal and external customers
• obtaining medical information from patients - providing educational materials to patients - coordinating information/consults and actions related to patient care and services
• takes all vital signs -weight - blood pressures - temperatures - I&Os
• does routine standardized diagnostic procedures such as EKG's - Glucometry and Pulse Oximetry
• collects lab specimens - processes medical records - notifies bed control for patient movements - and documents work
• Responsible for stocking all supplies in patient rooms and transporting patients as necessary
• Performs additional duties as needed
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - Various Shifts including 12 or 8 hour shifts - weekends - and holidays
• TBD during the interview process
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: F1024 at GS-03 - F1023 at GS-04 - F1022 at GS 05
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is not a Bargaining Unit position
• Current and former Federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.