Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is open to current permanent facility employees, VA Nationwide, other Federal employees and US Citizens.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties include, but not limited to:

The Nursing Assistant Escort is a supportive healthcare team member whose primary responsibility is the safe, timely and respectful transportation of patients/residents throughout the healthcare system and/or for non-emergent appointments outside the healthcare system. This role supports nursing, diagnostics, and clinical departments by ensuring patients are transported according to physician orders and/or departmental procedures while maintaining patient dignity, safety and confidentiality. Safely transports patients via wheelchair, stretcher, or bed to and from inpatient units, outpatient departments, diagnostic areas, procedural areas and discharge locations. Verifies patient identity using approved identifiers prior to transport and ensures proper handoff procedures are followed to include but not limited to correct destination, transport order, infection control precautions and patient readiness prior to movement. Explains the transport process to the patient/resident in a manner appropriate to the patient/resident's level of understanding. Maintains a positive therapeutic relationship by displaying respect for human dignity with patients, families and/or significant others utilizing learned communication skills. Begins to utilize observation skills for data collection, reporting and recording patient/resident observations. Responds promptly to transport requests to support efficient patient throughput. Coordinates with nursing units and department to minimize delays in care. Utilizes proper body mechanics, lifting techniques and approved transportation equipment to prevent patient and staff injury. Maintains patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with organizational policies. Ensure wheelchairs, stretchers, beds and transport equipment are clean, functional and properly stored. Reports any equipment malfunctions, safety hazards or environmental concerns promptly.

Nursing Assistant Escort provides essential, safe patient transport via VA-owned and leased General Services Administration (GSA) vehicles, reporting and recording transportation via GSA, including, but not limited to:

• Observation of state, county, and local driving laws
• Conduction of VA official purpose, as directed
• Completion of operating checklists
• Reporting of accidents involving GSA vehicles
• Operation of power lift
• Application of safety devices
• Safe transport of patients and durable medical equipment
• Required annual training for drivers
• Required annual medical physical
• Required Basic Life Support training quarterly
• Ability to employ infection control measures
• Notification to transport services for preventative maintenance of GSA vehicles
• Completion of pre-trip walk-around GSA vehicle inspections
• Maintain a current and unrestricted United States Driver license (if Texas resident greater than 90 days, state law requires a Texas state license)
• Completion of mileage, trip, and expense logs for each trip
• Fueling GSA vehicle to maintain fuel no less than 3/4 tank full
• Record management in providing receipts, reports, logs, and trip tickets to supervisory official
• Security of GSA vehicle keys and credit cards
• Maintains a hygienic GSA vehicle environment
• Maintain security of vehicle upon transport completion

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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:
a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
b. Education or Training. One year above high school with courses related to the NA occupation. Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related course of study of less than one year as a nursing assistant may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3.
c. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
d. English Language Proficiency. NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
e. Grandfathering Provisions. All Nursing Assistants employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(2) If an employee who was retained (grandfathered) under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status of the grandfathering provision and must meet the full VA qualification standard basic requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

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:
(1) GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level)
(a) Experience and Education. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b) Assignments. Individuals assigned as GS-3 NAs are considered to be at the entry level and are closely supervised.

(2) GS-4 NA
(a) 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,
(b) 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
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Evidence of Lean Belt training or experience
• Professional Governance participation
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Current BLS certification
• Valid driver's license

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps