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Summary The Nursing Assistant (NA) functions as a member of the Clinical Command Center Transport/Escort Team (CCC Transport/Escort Team) and assists higher graded Nursing Assistants, licensed nursing staff, and other members of the care team throughout the health care facility with patient transport. The CCC Transport/Escort Team is responsible for transporting patients/residents receiving outpatient, home, CLC, acute, sub-acute, or chronic states of illness care safely and in a timely manner. Responsibilities Major duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: The incumbent must be able to perform with skill and effectiveness all duties associated with nursing assistant work under the supervision of the Registered or Licensed Practical Nurse. The NA Escort is responsible for transporting patients throughout the facility for scheduled appointments, admissions, discharges, and transfers. The NA Escort is responsible for transporting of beds/mattresses/pumps to and from units to assist with care coordination throughout the facility. The NA Escort is responsible for the transportation of specimens, patients, residents, equipment, and supplies such as wheelchairs, stretchers, beds, and oxygen tanks, etc. in the outpatient and inpatient care units. The NA Escort transports patients who do not require a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to transport because of their acuity category. The NA Escort will assist the RN, physician, or other qualified medical personnel in the transport of acute patients. Escort NAs may assist Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) nursing/medical staff with patient transport but will not transport this category of patient without the above staff. Escort NAs may provide assistance to psychiatric nursing or medical staff with patient transport. With specialized training, escort NAs may transport low acuity psychiatric patients without assistance, always remaining 1:1 with patient at all times. The NA Escort provides for the care of patients/residents with dignity and continuous consideration of the individuals emotional needs. The NA Escort maintains patient/resident safety standards, assuring patient/resident privacy, patient/resident physical safety, and patient/resident psychological safety. The Escort NA establishes working relationships with multi-disciplinary and multi-level members of the work team promoting the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of the working environment for all team members. The Escort NA demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care and services consistent with Infection Control Standards of Practice providing optimal outcomes for patients, residents, visitors, and employees identified by regulating agencies, the RICVAMC, VISN and National Agencies. The NA Escort recognizes, responds, and initiates appropriate level response to medical emergency such as cardiac and respiratory failure. The NA Escort has the 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. NA Escort may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, or community living care, acute, subacute areas. The NA Escort maintains the bed stacker, bed stacker report, and assists with fax streem, etc. Measuring vital signs (to include temperature, pulse, respiration, pulse oximetry, blood pressure, wound care, transfers, weights, and pain measurement). Proficient with chart documentation, direct patient care duties, patient and family teaching, and patient safety duties. Performs a wide variety of duties aimed at increasing the comfort, spirit, and recovery of the patient. Records treatments and observations in the electronic patient record. Recognizes and reports to the RN or provider any significant physical, emotional, or behavioral changes in the patient. Ensures proper specimen collection to include labeling according to policy, handling, and delivery to the laboratory. Transports patients and specimens to required destinations and prepares for and assists with examinations, diagnostic and therapeutic tests according to written procedures and policies. Assists with therapeutic treatment techniques to include conducting groups, 1:1 observation, the proper use of restraints, aseptic and deescalating techniques. Enter information into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Documents vital signs, treatments, procedures, and cardiac rhythm interpretations performed in CPRS. Practices excellent customer service in all work activities; poised and articulate in communicating with people of varied educational, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with the health care team, patients, families and or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Work Schedule: Mon to Fri, 7:30am to 4pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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. [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 NA; OR, one year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR, completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. 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: GS-3 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): None beyond the Basic Requirements. GS-4 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized experience as an 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, (b) EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (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 (c) 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-5 NURSING ASSISTANT (NA): (a) EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-4 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are directly related to the specific assignment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the professional KSAs in subparagraph (c) below; OR, (b) 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 (c) Demonstrated 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 (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: Approximately 2-3 years of NA experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment. Must be flexible, versatile, reliable, and a team player. Outstanding patient and customer service skills and bedside manner. Excellent communication skills. Practice safe lifting techniques, and assist patients in and out of beds, stretchers, and wheelchairs. Ability to work flexible tours to include weekends and holidays to accommodate patients/residents needs. References: VA Handbook 5005/81, Part II, Appendix, G46, Nursing Assistant Qualification Standard, dated 03/12/2015. 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. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.