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For over 20 years, the VA has offered this exciting, year-long clinical residency for BSN students between their junior and senior years. VA-STEP (formally known as the Student Nurse Technician VALOR) is designed to increase participants' clinical skills, clinical judgment, and critical thinking while caring for our nation's Veterans. This program provides opportunities for learning including didactic or classroom experiences and clinical practice with a qualified Registered Nurse preceptor.
08/25/2023 to 12/29/2023
$70,055 - $70,055 per year
AD 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Multiple Appointment Types
Intermittent
Excepted
None
No
Yes
CBSR-12078682-23-MM
745568000
Open to Nursing students currently enrolled in ACEN/CCNE accredited Nursing programs within the local area.
The incumbent practices as a VA-STEP student in an assigned unit within the nursing Section of Patient Care Services at this Detroit VAMC. The VALOR Student's level of practice will be dependent upon clinical skills certified by the School of Nursing. The Student functions under the direct supervision of the RN who is responsible for the coordination of the patient's care. Assignment will be progressive based on verification of completed clinical skills within the nursing program and/or the clinical experience at the John D. Dingell VAMC. The purpose of the work is to provide safe, effective, quality patient care that covers personal care, diagnostic support procedures, treatment procedures, patient charting and patient teaching. The work consists of a variety of tasks from simple to complex that require completing in a timely manner. The employee must make choices to determine what steps are to be taken based on the type o nursing care required and the type of patient under consideration. The work ensures continuity of care and smooth functioning of the unit.
Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
In addition to the basic qualification requirements, applicants:
1. Must be currently enrolled in an accredited ACEN or CCNE Nursing university or college in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program.
2. Must possess a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale with no grade lower than a B in any in Nursing Core Curriculum Courses.
3. Be eligible to graduate by June of 2024.
4. Must be in the Senior Year of the Curriculum.
5. Have had at least one clinical experience in a medical center or hospital.
6. Provide current Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
7. Must be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a Nursing Valor Student.
8. Be able to work full-time during the summer months and part-time during the academic year.
9. Must not have a service obligation to any Federal, state or private institution, or be a recipient of any Federal scholarship that incurs a service obligation.
10. Must submit a complete application package (refer to required documents section of this announcement).
GRADE & PAY DETERMINATIONS: Students will be paid at a salary rate equal to 80 percent of the local VA facility's annual salary rate for a Nurse I, Level I, Step I. No future obligations to the VA, or guarantees from the VA will be incurred as a result of participating in this program.
Physical Requirements: Position requires physical and mental capability to practice nursing in designated clinical setting providing direct patient care. Requires: Heavy lifting 45 lbs and over., carrying, I hour, pushing (4 hours), reaching over shoulder, both hands required, walking ( 4 hours), standing ( 4 hours), kneeling repeated bending, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, ability to distinguish shades of colors. Use of patient care equipment designated for Safe Patient Handling required. Must be able to sit and stand at intervals utilizing the computer to review and document in the electronic medical record. Direct patient contact may include exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials requiring ability to don protective clothing in isolation or other procedures. May be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia or psychiatric disorders. Must be mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working with others, must be effective in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient and learner needs.
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. To be eligible to apply for your facilities VA-STEP program, you will need a minimum CGPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. CGPA must be computed on post-secondary academic work taken within the past 3-years or based on academic work accepted for credit towards a nursing/clinical laboratory science degree. Your program of education must have an active accreditation as noted below:
Nurses
An Accreditation Commission for Education (ACEN), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN) accredited baccalaureate or generic equivalent nursing program for nursing students.
Accreditation Commission of Education in Nursing (ACEN) Normally, this is for program that are below the BSN level but some BSN level programs are accredited here: Search ACEN Accredited Nursing Programs (acenursing.com)
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Most BSN and higher levels of nursing programs are accredited here: CCNE - Accredited Programs (ccnecommunity.org)
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. If the Program is not accredited, then the next stop is the Department of Education database of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs (https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home). Here you will be searching the University/College Institution Accreditation. Most of the time, you are looking for at least a Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation. If the university/college does not have an institutional accreditation, then the applicant is not eligible.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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.
NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered by a Nurse Professional Standards Board in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.
Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following four dimensions of nursing: Practice, Professional Development, Collaboration and Scientific Inquiry. Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel.
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:
VA Form 10-2850D - Application for Health Professions Trainees can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850D | Veterans Affairs.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/29/2023 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12078682.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. 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 (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/745568000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: 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" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?
The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.
The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.
