Nursing Assistant - Acute Care Medical Surgical Unit

Nursing Assistant Opportunity

Join our dedicated team at the Fargo VA Medical Center! We are seeking a skilled Nursing Assistant for our Acute Care Medical / Surgical Unit. In this vital role, you'll assist with the care of acutely ill and complex Veterans, monitor patients' conditions, perform ADLs, support wound care, manage catheter bags, conduct blood glucose monitoring, and much more. If you're dedicated, compassionate, and eager to make a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities :

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional :

Major duties include, but not limited to :

• Assist with care of acutely ill and more complex residents.
• Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition and reports to registered nurse.
• Must be able to complete ADLs as directed by the RN.
• Observes residents for appropriate oxygen administration and performs pulse oximeter readings.
• Assists the nurse or provider with wound care.
• Reinforces resident teaching.
• Participates actively in mandatory reviews, unit meetings and in-services.
• Manages indwelling urinary catheter bags; emptying, recording and reporting urine output to the nurse.
• Performs and records blood glucose monitoring and reports finding to nurse.
• Provides 1 : 1 sitter coverage.
• Obtains and records temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, weight, and I&O.
• Removal of heparin lock and urinary catheter based on competency.
• Ensures correct placement of O2 via nasal cannula / mask.
• Performs EKGs.
• Exchange oxygen tanks without adjusting oxygen LPM.
• Transports residents to tests and procedures as directed.
• Assists in monitoring and documentation of restraints as directed.
• Maintains and stocks supplies on the unit as directed.
• Demonstrates skill / knowledge / ability to perform treatments, procedures and the use and reprocessing of reusable medical equipment appropriate to assigned duties.

Work Schedule :

Rotating Days / Nights with weekends and holidays rotating

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.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not authorized

Physical requirements : You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

The Fargo VA Medical Center is part of the VA Midwest Health Care Network (VISN 23). The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

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 examination or evaluation.

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

Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required. Training provided.

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) :

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 NAs are considered entry-level and are closely supervised.

GS-04 - To qualify at the GS-4 level you must meet the following :