Nursing Assistant

To qualify for this Nursing Assistant position, you must meet basic requirements including U.S. Citizenship, English proficiency, and one of the following: six months of general experience, one year of education above high school with NA-related courses, or completion of an intensive NA training program of less than one year. Grade determinations (GS-3, GS-4, or GS-5) are based on experience and education.

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Six months of general experience demonstrating ability to perform NA work, OR one year of education above high school with courses related to nursing assistant occupation, OR completion of an intensive, specialized NA training program of less than one year.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Grandfathering Provision may apply for current VHA employees already in this occupation.
• GS-3 (Entry Level): None beyond basic requirements; assignments are closely supervised.
• GS-4: One year of specialized experience as a NA or in another medical field (LPN, health technician, etc.) performing technical and nursing skills, OR 2 years of education above high school with courses related to nursing care. Must also demonstrate KSAs: ability to provide patient care, observe patient status, use equipment (bladder scan, blood glucose monitor, etc.), and communicate effectively.
• GS-5 (Full Performance Level): One year of progressively responsible experience equivalent to GS-4, OR a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in health care. Must demonstrate KSAs: assist in full range of nursing care, communicate orally, serve as preceptor, recognize and react to emergent situations.
• Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Participate in assessing, implementing, and evaluating nursing care under close supervision.

• Identify patient needs and perform personal care duties: feeding, bathing, oral hygiene, nail care, hair care.
• Apply and care for external catheters; provide indwelling catheter care per procedure.
• Provide post-mortem care.
• Use proper body mechanics to move, lift, and transfer patients.
• Maintain clean and neat patient environment: clean rooms after bed bath and discharge, keep utility rooms, supply rooms, nurse servers, coffee rooms, bathrooms, and nutrition kitchens in order.
• Answer patient calls expediently.
• Assist and/or escort selected patients by minibus, car, and ambulance to and from hospital, Community Living Centers, etc.
• Assist patients in use of ADL devices.
• Assist with orientation of new patients to the unit and inspect personal belongings per Medical Center Memo.

Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply.

• Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Must complete online onboarding process; acceptable REAL ID-compliant identification required (driver's license or state ID).
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in seasonal influenza vaccination program required for all VA Health Care Personnel (HCP); exemptions for medical or religious reasons may be granted with face mask requirement.
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period; employment may be terminated if continued employment does not advance public interest.
• HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers, and health professions trainees.

Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.

• Eligibility for benefits depends on position type (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).
• Access to Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and life insurance.
• Paid annual leave, sick leave, and federal holidays.
• Opportunities for career advancement and training within the VA.

This position is open to the public; U.S. Citizens, Nationals, or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. may apply.

• Applicants pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but cannot be hired until all requirements are met.
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5; actual grade selected may be GS-3, GS-4, or GS-5.
• Agency contact: Ashley Warren, Phone 443-447-7635, Email [email protected].
• Address: Martinsburg VA Medical Center, 510 Butler Avenue, Martinsburg, WV 25405 US.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a condition of employment for all VA Health Care Personnel.
• Wearing a face mask is required if an exemption to the influenza vaccination is granted.
• HCP in violation of the influenza directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.
• VA policy does not deny employment to those who have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care to over 9 million Veterans each year. With a mission to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care, VHA operates medical centers, clinics, and community living centers nationwide. This Nursing Assistant position is part of the Long Term Care service at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia. The facility offers a range of services including primary care, mental health, and extended care for Veterans in the region. For applicants, VHA provides structured training, clear career progression paths, and a supportive environment for those new to federal nursing care.

Official website ›