Serving Those Who Served: A Comprehensive Guide to the Per Diem Nursing Assistant Role at VA Maine Healthcare System

Providing compassionate care to our nation's military Veterans is one of the most rewarding career pathways in healthcare. For individuals seeking a flexible professional structure that balances personal life with deeply meaningful work, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is now recruiting for Per Diem Nursing Assistants at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, Maine. This intermittent opportunity allows certified or experienced nursing support professionals to step into a vital role within a supportive, state-of-the-art clinical facility.

Under this vacancy announcement, successful applicants will operate under the General Schedule (GS) system, specifically graded from GS-03 up to GS-05, with an attractive salary range of $44,543 to $72,726 per year. If you are looking to make a direct impact on the day-to-day lives of the men and women who served in the United States military, this position provides the ideal platform. This guide offers an in-depth breakdown of the agency culture, job duties, strict qualifications, specialized resume protocols, and step-by-step application tips to help you submit a winning application.

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About the Agency: The Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is guided by a singular, historic mission first articulated by President Abraham Lincoln: "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors." As the largest integrated health care delivery system in the United States, the VHA employs hundreds of thousands of medical professionals dedicated to treating Veterans with dignity, empathy, and leading-edge medical practices.

The VA Maine Healthcare System is an essential branch of this network, and this specific opportunity is housed within its Community Living Center (CLC). The CLC is a warm, home-like environment designed to provide short-term and long-term rehabilitation, restorative care, and skilled nursing services to Veterans who require structured assistance.

Central to the daily operations of the VA is its "I CARE" framework. These core values govern every interaction:

• Integrity: Act with high moral character and adhere to ethical standards.
• Commitment: Work diligently to serve Veterans and their families.
• Advocacy: Stand up for the rights, health, and welfare of Veterans.
• Respect: Treat everyone with dignity and appreciate their sacrifices.
• Excellence: Strive for the highest quality clinical outcomes and service.

For healthcare professionals, aligning with the VA means joining a mission-driven culture where patient outcomes take precedence over corporate margins.

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Understanding the Per Diem Schedule and Excepted Service

Before applying, candidates should understand the structured classification of this opening. This position is advertised as an "intermittent per diem" role "not to exceed 1 year." This designation offers immense scheduling flexibility, making it ideal for those balancing school, another part-time job, or familial obligations.

Because it is intermittent, shifts will vary and are assigned based on the operational needs of the Augusta Community Living Center, which operates on rotating schedules including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

This role is classified under the Excepted Service, meaning the hiring processes do not follow the standard competitive procedures of typical civil service. Additionally, because of a critical staffing shortage, the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waive the typical requirement to apply Veterans' preference rules for this specific recruitment cycle. However, transitioning military members and existing Veterans are still highly encouraged to apply.

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Job Responsibilities of a VA Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistants (NAs) are the heartbeat of the clinical care team. Working under the close supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs), NAs deliver direct, patient-centered care. The primary duty of this role is ensuring the basic comfort, hygiene, and daily functioning of residents. Key duties include:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assisting residents with daily essential routines including bathing, general personal hygiene, nutritional support, eating, transferring, and elimination processes.
• Physical Mobility Support: Performing active and passive range of motion exercises, assisting patients with turning in bed, and safely transferring residents from beds to wheelchairs, commodes, or geri-chairs using state-of-the-art lift equipment.
• Clinical Monitoring and Diagnostic Support: Taking and accurately recording vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiration, temperature, weight, and height). NAs also execute specialized simple diagnostics such as blood glucose testing, bladder scans, and electrocardiograms (EKGs), as well as collecting clinical specimens (sputum, urine, feces).
• Patient Care Transitions: Preparing patient rooms for new admissions, cleaning and organizing rooms during patient transfers, and coordinating discharge logistics.
• Crisis Intervention and Emergency Response: Recognizing emergent behavioral or physical shifts in a resident's status and initiating life-saving procedures such as CPR while waiting for emergency support teams.
• Postmortem Care: Handling the sensitive postmortem care of deceased Veterans with utmost respect and coordinating the transport of the body.

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Qualification Standards and General Schedule (GS) Grades

The position is open to several entry points based on a candidate's background. Pay and grade placement will correspond directly to the applicant's experience and educational credentials. Here is a comparative breakdown of the qualifications required for each GS level:

GS Grade Level	Minimum General / Specialized Experience	Educational Equivalency Alternative	Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) Required
GS-03	6 months of general experience demonstrating capacity to acquire nursing assistant skills.	1 year of post-high school education with coursework directly related to the nursing assistant occupation.	Basic understanding of patient care; ability to follow clinical directions.
GS-04	1 year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant, LPN, or military hospital corpsman.	2 years of post-high school education at an accredited institution with a focus on healthcare, psychology, or psychiatric technology.	Ability to perform intermediate treatments (bladder scans, EKGs, glucose tests); strong therapeutic communication.
GS-05 (Full Performance)	1 year of progressively responsible specialized experience equivalent to the GS-04 level.	4-year bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours of healthcare-related coursework.	Complete range of clinical care assistance; ability to recognize and respond to medical emergencies; peer mentoring capabilities.

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Federal Hiring Requirements and Prerequisites

To secure employment within the federal government and the Department of Veterans Affairs, all selected candidates must fulfill standard federal statutory requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Candidates must be citizens of the United States. Non-citizens are considered only under exceptional circumstances when qualified citizens are unavailable.
• Pre-Employment Screening: Selected candidates must clear a comprehensive physical medical evaluation and background/security check.
• Drug Screening: All candidates tentatively selected must undergo a urinalysis test to screen for illegal drug use.
• English Language Proficiency: Fluent written and spoken English is mandatory.
• Vaccination Compliance: Participation in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program is a strict condition of employment for VHA Healthcare Personnel. Exemptions for medical or religious reasons must be formally requested and approved.
• Trial Period: Candidates must serve a 1-to-2-year trial period where conduct, performance, and fitness for service are evaluated.
• REAL ID Compliance: Effective May 7, 2025, any state-issued ID used during onboarding must comply with federal REAL ID standards.

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Salary and Federal Benefits

The salary range for this per diem position is competitive, starting at $44,543 and reaching up to $72,726 annually, depending on the GS grade determined at selection. Because this is a per diem role, hourly earnings will align with this annual scale. Additionally, the position is covered by a special pay rate specifically authorized for VA Maine Healthcare System staff.

While per diem positions do not offer the full suite of permanent federal benefit programs (such as TSP or federal retirement pensions), the VA offers valuable perks:

• Leave Accrual Credit: Selected candidates may request service credit for prior non-federal or military experience, which can increase their annual leave accrual rates once approved before the official start date.
• Professional Growth: Working within the VHA provides unparalleled exposure to advanced healthcare technology, clinical research, and a vast professional internal network for future permanent career moves.

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Detailed Application Tips & Clinical Resume Prep

Applying for a federal job requires a higher level of detail than the private sector. Follow these essential tips to ensure your application is reviewed:

1. Use the Required Clinical Resume Template: The VA has a strict policy for this job. You must download the official clinical resume template via the link provided in the vacancy. You must upload this standard document into the primary 'Resume' slot of USAStaffing. Do not modify the template's structure.
2. Upload Your Full Resume as an Extra Document: Since the official clinical resume template is limited, you should upload your complete, detailed CV/resume (without page limits) in the "Other" document category.
3. Be Specific About Experience: State your exact dates of employment (Month/Year to Month/Year) and the average hours worked per week. Federal HR specialists cannot make assumptions regarding your background.
4. Provide Clear Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on college coursework, you must upload clean, official or unofficial transcripts. If your degree was earned outside the United States, include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
5. Complete the Assessment Questionnaire: Take your time with the online occupational questionnaire. Ensure your answers are fully supported by details in your resume.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I apply if I am still finishing my Nursing Assistant certification?
A: Yes. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification requirements may be referred and tentatively selected, but they must meet all requirements before their actual onboarding date.

Q: Is there any relocation assistance or sign-on bonus for this role?
A: No. Recruitment incentives (sign-on bonuses) and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation allowances are not authorized for these per diem positions.

Q: What does "intermittent per diem" mean for my weekly work schedule?
A: Intermittent means you do not have a guaranteed, fixed number of hours each week. You will work on an as-needed basis, which will include rotating shifts (days, evenings, weekends, and holidays) to support the Community Living Center.

Q: Is this position covered by a union?
A: Yes, this position is fully covered under the local collective bargaining unit.

Q: Who can I contact if I have technical difficulties with my application?
A: You can reach out to the designated Agency Contact, Tamisha Williams, at [email protected] or by calling 203-932-5711, extension 18589.

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Taking on a Per Diem Nursing Assistant role with the VA Maine Healthcare System is a highly respected way to balance work-life flexibility while honoring our nation's heroes. By delivering outstanding patient-centered care at the Augusta Community Living Center, you become a fundamental part of the prestigious "I CARE" team.

Review the qualification criteria, download the mandatory clinical resume document, and submit your comprehensive application package before the register closes on September 30, 2026. Your dedication will directly elevate the lives of Veterans who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.