Nursing Assistant - (Community Living Center)
Veterans Health Administration
Amarillo, Texas
You'll give direct care to complex Veterans.
Posted Sep 29 · Applications close Sep 28, 2027
- Shift and hours
- 12-hour days, 7:30 am to 8:00 pm · 12-hour nights, 7:30 pm to 8:00 am · rotating days and nights Day Shift - 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 am - 8:00 pm Night Shift - 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 pm - 8:00 am Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts including Weekends & Holidays
- Unit and setting
- Community Living Center · Military The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.acute to chronic conditions
- Term
- Permanent
Do you qualify?
- Education
- bachelor's degree, or 24 health-related semester hours, for GS-5 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
- Experience
- six months of general experience, or equivalent education or training (1) Six months of general experience.
- Experience
- one year of specialized NA or other medical-field experience for GS-4 One year of specialized experience as a NA or experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.)
- Also asks
- U.S. citizen
- Also asks
- proficient in written and spoken English Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Also asks
- seasonal flu vaccination or approved exemption Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Also asks
- background and security investigation Subject to background/security investigation.
- Also asks
- urinalysis drug screen before appointment if testing-designated 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.
- Also asks
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959 Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Also asks
- 1 or 2-year trial period you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period
Preferred
- Experience
- 2 years of patient care experience Preferred Experience: 2 years patient care experience.
- Experience
- long-term care experience Long term care experience preferred.
What it pays
- Childcare
- Offered
- Bonus
- no sign-on or relocation bonus Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
- Pay reviews
- higher step possible for higher or unique qualifications higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA
Benefits
- Benefits37-50 days paid time off a year, including 13-26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave and 11 federal holidaysPaid 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).
- Benefitsup to 12 weeks paid parental leave after 12 months of employmentParental 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.
- Benefitschildcare subsidy up to 25% of costs, capped at $416.66 a month, after 60 days
- Benefitsfederal pension (5-year vesting) and 401K with up to 5% VA contributionRetirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
- Benefitsfederal health, vision, dental, term life and long-term care insuranceInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
- Paid Time Off
More benefits (8)
- Parental Leave
- Child Care Subsidy
- Retirement
- Health Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Care Insurance
The role and schedule
- Precepting
- You would precept other nurses Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's, Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate
- Day to day
- glucose checks, reporting deviations to staff Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff.
- Day to day
- tracheostomy care and suctioning Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
- Day to day
- enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, simple dressings
- Day to day
- lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs and wandering system for veteran self-care Utilizes equipment to promote the Veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
- Day to day
- small group activities Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.
- Day to day
- managing patient behavior and calling for help Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members.
- Day to day
- unit safe patient handling liaison Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison.
- Hours stated
- Rotating Shifts including Weekends & Holidays, (A.) Day Shift - 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 am - 8:00 pm OR, (B.) Night Shift - 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 pm - 8:00 am
- Weekends
- weekends worked in rotation Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts including Weekends & Holidays
- Holidays
- holidays worked in rotation
- Details
- on-site only, no telework Telework: Not Available
- Details
- does not confer competitive status This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
The workplace
Your fit
Questions to ask
- Can you walk me through differentials?
- What should I expect for weekly hours, holiday, and call?
- What orientation, preceptor time, and ongoing unit support are included?
- How are patient load, floating, and staffing support handled day to day?
Original listing
Posted on Veterans Health Administration’s careers page.
Read full textShow less
This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is Thursday, 10/08/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. The Nursing Assistant is learning to perform basic nursing duties under close supervision in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home, or community living care, acute, sub-acute. The Nursing Assistant will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Nursing Assistant (NA): Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for veterans refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Provides direct care for complex Veterans. Makes observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e., behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role.
Documents care given, observations and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning.
Monitor and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately. Performs 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, and monitoring. Works on small group activities with veterans/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan.
Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote the Veteran self-care, such as lift equipment, Hydro sound Tubs, and Veteran/Resident Wandering System.
Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident.
Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Serves as the unit safe patient handling liaison. Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NA's, Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate Functions as a member of the unit base counsel Manages distributed patient behavior and by appropriately intervenes and request assistant from other health care members.
Appropriately initiates basic life support, takes actions appropriate action. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts including Weekends & Holidays, (A.) Day Shift -
- 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 am - 8:00 pm OR, (B.) Night Shift -
- 12 Hour Shift, 7:30 pm - 8:00 am Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): 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. Functional Statement #: 52675-F (GS- 03), 52676-F (GS- 04), 52677-F (GS- 05).
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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English Experience or Education or Training. (1) Six months of general experience.
Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, (2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application); OR, (3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meeting full 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-3 NA (Entry Level) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements GS-4 NA Experience.
One year of specialized experience as a NA 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, healthcare 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; (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application); 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-5 NA (Full Performance Level).
Experience. One 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. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to functioning as a member of the nursing care team and assisting licensed nursing staff and other members of the care team in the full range of nursing care of patients/residents receiving outpatient care, home, or community living care or other patients/residents who are receiving preventative, acute, sub-acute, chronic, maintenance, and hospice care.
OR, Education. Successful completion of 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; (must submit TRANSCRIPT with application); 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 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
2 years patient care experience. Long term care experience 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-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. Physical
Requirements
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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).
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.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by the U. S. Department of Education at the…
What's around it?
Amarillo, TXFrom Census ACS 2024.
Living costs about 8% below the US average
- Median rent
- $1,092/mo
- Household income
- $65,912/yr, all local households, not nurse pay