Nursing Assistant-Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program

About the role

This Nursing Assistant position is located at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center in Saint Cloud, MN. The role supports residents in the Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program by providing safe physical and emotional care, assisting with daily interventions, observing and reporting changes, and helping Veterans work toward greater self‑care in a therapeutic environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide resident care following established procedures and applicable policies
• Collect and document patient data, including vital signs and specimens
• Observe physical and emotional status and report changes to the charge nurse
• Maintain clean, organized clinical areas and restock supplies
• Communicate respectfully with patients, families, and team members
• Facilitate patient education or recovery groups and complete documentation
• Collaborate with staff supporting tele‑health activities
• Use proper techniques and safety precautions, including protective equipment
• Initiate appropriate emergency interventions and maintain a safe environment

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship (non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy)
• English language proficiency (basic written and spoken)
• Meet one of the following:
  • Six (6) months of general experience demonstrating ability to acquire NA knowledge and skills
  • One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation
  • Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation‑related training course of less than one year as a NA
  • Qualify under the Grandfathering Provision (current VHA employees in this occupation who meet the criteria)
• Grade‑specific requirements:
  • GS‑3: No additional requirements beyond the basic qualifications; entry‑level, closely supervised.
  • GS‑4: Either one year of experience as a NA or in another medical field (LPN, health technician, hospital corpsman, etc.) performing technical and nursing skills, OR successful completion of two years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or appropriate specialization (e.g., psychology, psychiatric, OR tech). Plus KSAs: ability to provide a range of patient/resident care and contribute to nurse care plans; observe and report physical/emotional status; properly use equipment/materials for simple diagnostic/treatment procedures; communicate effectively with patients/residents, families, and health professionals.
  • GS‑5: Either one year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to GS‑4 level demonstrating related KSAs, OR successful completion of a 4‑year bachelor’s degree with 24 semester hours of health‑related coursework (or possession of a bachelor’s degree). Plus KSAs: ability to assist in the full range of nursing care for patients/residents with physical and/or behavioral problems under RN/LVN/LPN direction; ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary team, and other personnel; ability to serve as a preceptor for new NAs (coordinate orientation, oversee/assess practical experience); ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while awaiting assistance (e.g., basic life support, bleeding control, behavior crisis).
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑5; actual grade may be GS‑3 to GS‑5.

Skills

• 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' 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 (e.g., bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring machine, specimen collection)
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, their families, and other health professionals
• 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
• Ability to serve as a preceptor to new NAs by assisting with coordination of their orientation and overseeing/assessing their practical experience in a clinical setting
• Ability to recognize and react to emergent patient/resident care situations and intervene while waiting for assistance (e.g., recognizing need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, assisting with behavior crisis)

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays)
• Credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave