Serving Those Who Served: Becoming a VA Nursing Assistant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If you are a compassionate healthcare professional looking to build a highly rewarding, stable, and deeply meaningful career, the Department of Veterans Affairs has an exceptional opportunity for you. The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is actively recruiting dedicated and skilled Nursing Assistants (NAs) to join its team on 9A Valor Point, a premier unit within the Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) division.

This position is not just a job; it is a profound calling. As a Nursing Assistant within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), you will play an invaluable role in the recovery, comfort, and daily support of America’s veterans. Offering a competitive salary range of $39,686 to $64,796 per year and some of the most comprehensive benefits in the healthcare sector, this role is the perfect vehicle to advance your clinical skills while serving a population that has given so much to our country.

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About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare network in the United States, operating thousands of medical facilities, clinics, and community living centers that serve millions of Veterans each year. Built upon President Lincoln’s promise "To care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors," the VA fosters an environment of whole-health, patient-centered care.

The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee is renowned for its clinical excellence, innovative treatment models, and supportive work environment. The 9A Valor Point unit operates within this campus as a specialized 40-bed rehabilitative unit. It focuses on two distinct areas: Transitional Care (short-term stays of less than 90 days) and the Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP), where clinical goals guide the length of stay. Working here allows you to develop deep connections with patients, witnessing their functional improvements and helping them regain independence.

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Job Responsibilities: A Day in the Life on Valor Point

As a Nursing Assistant on the 9A Valor Point unit, you are a vital clinical touchpoint for patients and their families. Working under the guidance of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), you will balance physical clinical tasks with the emotional and behavioral support necessary to help geriatric and rehabilitative patients thrive.

Your primary clinical responsibilities will include:

• Direct Patient Care: Assisting complex patients with basic activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and eating, while consistently promoting the patient's maximum self-care and independence.
• Advanced Diagnostics and Treatments: Utilizing specialized medical equipment like bladder scanners and blood glucose monitoring machines to gather clinical data and reporting any concerning changes or deviations directly to the licensed nursing staff.
• Patient Mobilization: Ensuring safe patient movement by utilizing advanced lift equipment, slings, slide sheets, and specialized ambulation devices to prevent injury to both the patient and yourself.
• Continuous Observation: Maintaining a vigilant eye on patients' subtle physical and behavioral changes, such as shifts in mood, skin coloring, cognitive status, or response to treatments, and communicating these notes promptly.
• Sanitation and Safety: Helping to maintain a highly secure, sterile environment by cleaning equipment, reporting potential facility hazards, practicing correct aseptic techniques, and adhering to infection control protocols.
• Care Documentation: Utilizing the VA’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems to clearly and accurately document vital signs, daily care given, and specific patient observations.

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Qualification Requirements & GS Grading Criteria

To apply for this role, candidates must meet basic federal eligibility standards. Qualifications are graded from GS-3 to GS-5, allowing applicants with varying degrees of experience and education to enter the federal system and progress naturally.

Basic Requirements for All Levels

1. U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens can only be considered under rare conditions when no qualified citizens are available.
2. English Language Proficiency: Applicants must be fully proficient in written and spoken English.
3. Basic Experience or Training: Candidates must have either six months of general experience demonstrating the ability to acquire nursing assistant skills, one full year of post-high school education with coursework related to healthcare, or the successful completion of an intensive, specialized nursing assistant training course of less than one year.

Grade-Specific Qualifications Comparison

To help you determine which level you qualify for, review the following comparison of the experience and education requirements for grades GS-3 through GS-5:

GS Grade	Minimum Experience Required	Educational Alternative	Core Competencies Required
GS-3	None beyond the basic requirements listed above.	High School diploma plus 1 year of health-related college courses.	Basic interest and aptitude to learn the fundamental nursing assistant clinical skills.
GS-4	1 year of specialized NA or medical technician experience (e.g., LPN, EMT, hospital corpsman).	Successful completion of 2 years of study above high school with nursing/health courses.	Ability to contribute to care plans, operate simple diagnostic machines, and report patient changes.
GS-5	1 year of specialized, highly independent clinical experience equivalent to the GS-4 level.	A completed Bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in healthcare-related fields.	Ability to assist with complex physical/behavioral care, recognize clinical emergencies, and act as a preceptor.

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Salary and Compensation Overview

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers highly competitive salaries, ensuring that dedicated care providers are compensated fairly for their hard work. The salary range for this position is $39,686 to $64,796 per year.

When extending job offers, the VA may utilize an "Above Minimum Rate of the Grade" calculation, allowing HR to offer higher starting steps to candidates who possess exceptional, specialized qualifications or when there are critical hiring needs. Furthermore, the federal system features scheduled, predictable salary increases (steps) and annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), ensuring your compensation grows along with your career.

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Unrivaled Benefits of Federal Employment

One of the most compelling reasons to choose a career with the Veterans Health Administration is the premium benefits package, which far outclasses typical private-sector offerings.

• Extensive Paid Time Off: Employees enjoy between 37 and 50 days of paid time off annually. This comprises 13 to 26 days of annual (vacation) leave depending on service time, 13 days of sick leave with no accumulation cap, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave: After completing one full year of service, federal employees receive up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: To help lower-income and middle-income families, employees who have completed 60 days of service and have a total household income below $144,000 may qualify for childcare subsidies of up to 25% of their total eligible costs, capped at $416.66 monthly.
• Unmatched Retirement Security: You will receive a traditional defined-benefit pension (vesting after just 5 years) alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which functions like a private-sector 401(k) and features an automatic 1% agency contribution and up to an additional 4% matching contribution from the VA.
• Flexible Insurance Packages: Choose from a wide selection of federal health, vision, dental, life, and long-term care insurance programs, many of which can be carried directly into retirement.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide and Tips for Success

Applying for a federal position requires meticulous attention to detail. Follow this structured roadmap to ensure your application stands out to human resources specialists:

1. Prepare Your Resumes: This vacancy requires a specific approach. Download the mandatory, one-page Standard Clinical Resume Document. You must upload this unaltered form into the restricted 'Resume' slot on the USA Staffing website. Then, compile your complete, detailed, multi-page professional CV and upload it into the 'Other' documents slot. This ensures you meet the rigid system requirements while still displaying your full work history.
2. Tailor Your Content: Ensure your multi-page resume lists the specific dates of employment (MM/DD/YYYY to MM/DD/YYYY) and clearly states the hours worked per week for each role. Federal HR cannot award qualification points without these details.
3. Complete the Online Questionnaire: Budget 30–45 minutes to go through the occupational questionnaire on the USA Staffing portal. Match your answers truthfully to your documented experience.
4. Gather Supporting Documentation: Collect transcripts (especially if qualifying through education), DD-214 forms (if claiming Veterans' Preference), current performance appraisals, and professional certifications to upload with your final packet before the closing date of August 20, 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need a CNA certification to apply for this job?

While a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification is highly valued, you can qualify for these federal grades through either professional clinical experience or related post-secondary education, provided you meet the criteria laid out in the VA Qualification Standards.

What are the physical requirements of this position?

This role is physically demanding. You will experience extended periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, and lifting. You must pass a pre-employment physical examination to ensure you can perform these actions safely while assisting patients with mobility.

Is this position eligible for remote work or telework?

No. Because this role requires direct, hands-on inpatient clinical care within the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, it is not eligible for telework or remote status.

What is the trial period for new hires?

As a condition of employment in the excepted service, new hires are required to serve a 1- or 2-year trial period. During this time, your performance, attendance, and professional conduct will be continuously evaluated.

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Working as a Nursing Assistant at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center on the 9A Valor Point unit is more than a clinical job; it is an active contribution to the healing and well-being of our nation's heroes. With a competitive salary, an industry-leading benefits package, and clear avenues for professional advancement, this position offers an exceptional foundation for your healthcare career. Take the next step toward a stable, rewarding future and submit your application today!