Summary

This is an open continuous announcement open until June 23rd - 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The Albany VAMC is looking to hire a Nursing Assistant on our 10B Inpatient Mental Health unit. Experience working in an inpatient behavioral health setting is preferred.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
• Education: 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 above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
• OR completion of an intensive - specialized - occupation-related course of study of less than one year which resulted in attaining certification as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-3: None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-4:One year of specialized experience as a nursing assistant or experience in another medical field (LPN - 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 of 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-5: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 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 Vocation 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 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: Experience working in an inpatient behavioral health setting
• 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 physical requirements of this position include lifting - prolonged standing and sitting - frequent bending - walking (distance) - climbing - reaching (overhead - extensive/repetitive) - pulling - pushing - repetitive motion and stooping
• The mental/sensory requirements include recall - reasoning - problem-solving - hearing - speaking clearly - writing legibly - keyboarding - reading and logical thinking - depth perception - hearing (aide permitted)
• near/far vision correctable to meet Driver's License requirements
• The environment's pace can vary from steady to a sometimes-fast pace requiring handling of multiple priorities - frequent - sometimes intense customer interactions - and the ability to adapt to frequent changes in a sometimes-noisy environment
• There may be the need to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to disease - illness and hazardous materials
• Work requires extensive walking - standing - stretching and bending in caring for patients.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant (NA) will provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting
• Individuals assigned as GS-3 NA's are considered to be at the entry and are monitored and closely supervised
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision and refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NA's - or other healthcare professionals
• The Nursing Assistant (NA) at the GS-4 level is at the intermediate or developmental level and is closely supervised
• The NA at this grade level is learning to provide complex nursing care independently as a member of the nursing care team by assisting higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff - and other members of the care team
• The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision - are learning to perform complex nursing skills - and will refer issues/questions to supervisors - higher graded NAs - licensed nursing staff or other healthcare professionals
• The Nursing Assistant (NA) at the GS-5 is the full performance level for Nursing Assistant (NA) occupation 0621 series
• The 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 preventive - acute - sub-acute chronic - maintenance - and hospice care
• The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements
• The NA at this level also assumes a peer education/mentorship
• The duties of the Nursing Assistant include but are not limited too- Learn to appropriately utilize glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran
• Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patient - families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills
• Utilize observation skills for data collection - reporting and recording patient/resident observations
• Performs aspects of nursing care to meet patient's needs for the following under close supervision and with direction/guidance from a preceptor - such as the following: Personal Hygiene Physical comfort Activity - Exercise - Rest Nutrition Elimination Prevention of Skin Breakdown Rehabilitative Aspects of Care Utilize principles of proper body mechanics while caring for patients
• Reports patient observations to the RN and or other members of the treatment team
• Trained to set up patient care related equipment
• Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment
• Assist with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies
• Work as a cooperative - courteous member of the interdisciplinary team
• Safeguarding the patient's right to privacy by judiciously protecting information of a confidential nature
• Uses proper safety practices
• Utilize equipment and supplies according to procedures
• Utilize principles of proper body mechanics and follows procedures for use of patient care equipment to prevent injury to self or others in all settings such as utilization of lifting equipment
• Work Schedule: Full time - shift varies - to be discussed during your interview
• 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