Nursing Assistant - Interventional Radiology

Nursing Assistant

Summary General Description : The Nursing Assistant is considered to be the full performance level for NAs. The NA functions as a member of the nursing care team and assists licensed nursing staff in the care of patients / residents receiving preventative, acute, subacute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The Organizational Location of the Position is : This position is located in Nursing Service, Interventional Radiology within VA North Texas Health Care System (VANTHCS). Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Utilizing glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans

Providing direct care for complex veterans

Making observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, such as behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc.

Documenting care given, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms

Responding appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personnel

Administering complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning

Monitoring and documenting patient intake and output

Performing nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to : enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care, simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices

Working on small group activities with veterans / residents according to patients / veterans' treatment plan

Recognizing the resident's autonomy and promoting independence by means of respect, limit setting, and individualized treatment

Actively participating in treatment planning meetings

Utilizing equipment to promote the veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, hydro sound tubs, and veteran / resident wandering system

Verbally providing patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran / resident's plan of care, participating in treatment team meetings for resident care planning

Entering information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats

Participating in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient / resident

Removing defective equipment, reporting hazards, observing safety regulations, contributing to infection control, and utilizing proper aseptic technique in performance of duties

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 7 : 30am - 4 : 00pm, 8 hour shifts with occasional weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call

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 # : 53117-F / 53118-F / 53119-F

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

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.

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

Qualifications 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. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

General Experience : Six months general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a Nursing Assistant.

OR Education : One year of education above high school with courses related to the nursing assistant occupation.

OR Training : Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a Nursing Assistant (e.g., Nurse Aid Certification course) may also meet the experience requirements for GS-3.

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 Developmental Level : 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 two 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. (transcripts required) 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-4 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. (transcripts required) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 Nursing Assistants 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