Launch a Meaningful Clinical Career: VA Nursing Assistant in Salt Lake City

Are you looking to align your professional clinical skills with a deeply honorable purpose? The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is actively recruiting dedicated, compassionate individuals to join the clinical care team as Nursing Assistants (GS-3 to GS-5) within the prestigious Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this continuous opening offers healthcare workers a stable, well-compensated federal pathway to clinical excellence while directly serving the nation’s military veterans.

Whether you are a certified nursing professional seeking a superior work-life balance, or a motivated beginner eager to enter the medical field through a highly structured development program, this role presents a rare combination of competitive compensation, world-class benefits, and professional fulfillment.

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About the Agency: The VA Salt Lake City Health Care System

At the heart of our operations is a profound mission inspired by President Abraham Lincoln: "To fulfill 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 Salt Lake City Health Care System delivers cutting-edge, patient-centered care to more than 70,000 veterans across Utah, Idaho, and Nevada. Our primary facility, the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center, is located at the majestic base of the Wasatch Mountains adjacent to the University of Utah. As a renowned teaching facility, our medical center integrates clinical complexity with academic and research leadership, giving our staff access to advanced medical technologies and clinical practices.

Beyond professional development, our location provides an exceptional quality of life. Dubbed the "Silicon Slopes," the Salt Lake City metropolitan area features a booming technology sector, a vibrant performing arts culture, and an amazingly diverse community. Surrounded by five spectacular National Parks and word-class ski resorts, it is the ultimate location to build a career, raise a family, or transition into a rewarding retirement.

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Job Responsibilities: Empowering Veteran Recovery

As a Nursing Assistant, you will serve as a foundational pillar of the nursing team. Working under the supervision of Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), you will deliver direct, physical care designed to support the holistic recovery, health, and comfort of patients.

These positions operate across a variety of settings, which may include inpatient wards, acute medical-surgical units, outpatient clinics, subacute units, or our specialized long-term Community Living Center (CLC). Your day-to-day duties will encompass the following vital functions:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): Assisting patients with critical mobility, hygiene, dressing, and nutritional tasks, maintaining their comfort and self-respect.
• Clinical Observation & Data Collection: Tracking physical and psychological progress, utilizing clinical observation skills to record patient conditions and report subtle changes to nursing supervisors immediately.
• Technical Clinical Procedures: Utilizing modern diagnostic equipment to complete tasks such as bladder scans, blood glucose testing, specimen collection, and continuous passive motion (CPM) therapy.
• Therapeutic Interactions: Establishing and maintaining constructive, empathetic relationships with veterans and their families, ensuring that every interaction honors the resident's dignity.
• Interdisciplinary Teamwork: Actively participating in patient care conferences, shift reports, and clinical meetings to refine patient-centric care plans.
• Mentorship & Peer Training (GS-5 Level): Acting as a preceptor for newly appointed Nursing Assistants, managing their clinical orientation, and assessing their practical skills.
• Regulatory & Security Compliance: Maintaining computerized patient records in strict adherence to the Privacy Act of 1974, while protecting sensitive healthcare systems from unauthorized access.

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Comprehensive Qualification and Education Requirements

Candidates can qualify for this opening across three distinct GS grades. Advancement potential up to the GS-5 grade ensures that your clinical growth is continually recognized.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a federal position, you must meet these fundamental prerequisites:

• U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be United States citizens. Non-citizens are only eligible under exceptional circumstances when no qualified citizens are available.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must possess written and verbal fluency in English in accordance with VA Handbook guidelines.
• Health Requirements: Must participate fully in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program or secure a medical/religious exemption.
• Screening Procedures: Must pass a pre-employment drug screening (urinalysis) and background suitability check.

Grade-Specific Qualifications

GS-3 (Entry Level)

• Experience: Six months of general healthcare-related experience showing your aptitude to acquire nursing skills; OR
• Education: Successful completion of one year of education above high school level with coursework directly related to the healthcare field; OR
• Training: Completion of an intensive, occupation-related clinical training course of study lasting less than one year.

GS-4 (Intermediate Level)

• Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-3 level as a Nursing Assistant or related medical specialist (such as an LPN, Hospital Corpsman, or Health Technician); OR
• Education: Successful completion of two years of study above high school at an accredited institution, with courses centered on nursing or healthcare; AND
• Required Skills: Proven capability to execute intermediate medical treatments, employ simple diagnostic machinery, and coordinate with healthcare professionals.

GS-5 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience: One year of highly responsible specialized clinical experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade, demonstrating progress in patient care capabilities; OR
• Education: Completion of a four-year bachelor's degree program at an accredited college, featuring at least 24 semester hours of health-related courses; AND
• Required Skills: Ability to handle complex physical or behavioral patient cases, manage behavioral crises, provide emergency life support (BLS), and act as a clinical preceptor.

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Salary Overview and Grade Comparisons

Starting pay is determined based on your verified credentials, experience, and educational background. The federal government uses structured pay systems that allow for higher starting steps for highly qualified applicants.

GS Grade	Minimum Base Salary	Maximum Base Salary	Key Experience Metric	Educational Alternative	Primary Operational Expectation
GS-3	$40,110	$52,143 (est.)	6 months general	1 year post-high school	Direct, entry-level clinical training under close monitoring
GS-4	$45,000 (est.)	$58,500 (est.)	1 year specialized	2 years post-high school	Intermediate care, simple diagnostic devices, and clinical reporting
GS-5	$50,300 (est.)	$65,488	1 year progressive	Bachelor's degree (24 credit hours)	Preceptor leadership, complex behavioral management, and emergency response

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Exceptional Federal Benefits Package

When you join the VA, you gain access to one of the most comprehensive compensation and benefits packages in the United States, far surpassing private-sector offerings:

• Incredible Paid Time Off: Receive 37 to 50 days of paid time off each year. This includes 13 to 26 days of annual vacation leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave: Take up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child (applicable after 12 months of service).
• Childcare Subsidy Program: Active employees with a household income under $144,000 can qualify for monthly childcare subsidies of up to $416.66.
• Guaranteed Retirement Pension: Secure a traditional federal pension vesting after just five years, which can be combined with military retirement credit.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): A premier federal 401(k) program featuring up to 5% in matching agency contributions.
• Portable Insurances: Enroll in outstanding federal health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care programs, many of which can be carried directly into your retirement.

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Pro-Tips for a Successful Application

To ensure your application transitions from USAJobs to the hiring manager’s desk, keep these crucial application strategies in mind:

1. Utilize the Mandatory Resume Template: The Department of Veterans Affairs requires candidates to utilize the standard VA Clinical Resume Document. Be sure to download and submit this specific document. Your complete, comprehensive professional CV should be uploaded separately in the "Other" document portal.
2. Detail Every Hour of Work: Unlike private industry resumes, federal resumes require explicit detail. Always list the exact start and end dates (Month/Year), average hours worked per week, and whether the positions were paid or unpaid. Volunteer experience can count heavily toward your qualifications!
3. Include Transcripts: If you are qualifying based on college education, you must upload clean, legible copies of your transcripts showing all completed coursework and degrees. Foreign degrees must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
4. Answer Every Assessment Question Accurately: Your responses on the occupational assessment questionnaire will directly determine your placement on the qualified referral lists. Answer confidently and ensure your resume explicitly supports those answers.

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2. Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen?

U.S. citizenship is a basic requirement. However, under specific federal guidelines, non-citizens may be considered for appointment only if no qualified United States citizens are available to fill the clinical vacancies.

3. What are the physical requirements of the job?

This role requires moderate-to-high physical activity. Nursing Assistants spend extensive periods standing, walking, and assisting patients. You will be trained in, and expected to use, Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) protocols and equipment to assist with lifting, bending, and transfer procedures.

4. Is telework available for this position?

No. Because this role requires direct bedside patient care and clinical support within VA medical facilities, this position is strictly onsite and telework options are not available.

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Working as a Nursing Assistant with the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System is more than a job; it is a calling. In this role, you will become an essential part of a highly respected team dedicated to restoring, maintaining, and honoring the health of our country’s veterans. With stable schedules, clear advancement pathways, and premium retirement benefits, this is the perfect place to build a secure and deeply meaningful career. Submit your application package today and take the first step toward serving those who served.