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VA STEP is a program that provides opportunities for outstanding students in nursing who have completed the final semester of their junior year in a national accredited baccalaureate nursing program to develop competencies while at VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS) an approved VA facility. Opportunities include didactic and classroom experiences, competency-based clinical practices with a qualified preceptor, and participation in specialty focused clinical conferences.
Learn more about this agency01/08/2024 to 05/31/2024
$66,372 - $66,372 per year
GS 00
6 vacancies in the following location:
No
No
Not required
No
Internships - NOT EXCEED 1 Year and 1 day (120 days post graduation)
Intermittent
Excepted
00
No
Yes
OCA-CBSW-12261305-24-DK
769216700
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level. Includes internships, pathways and other student programs.
Current excepted service federal employees.
The incumbent will develop competency-based clinical practice with a qualified Registered Nurse (RN) preceptor supervising all aspects of practice. The VA-STEP student is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care. This includes Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating nursing care based on age-specific components. Incumbent assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient transition through the continuum of care, patient and family education, patient self-management at discharge, and supporting factors that impact customer satisfaction. The incumbent considers all characteristics of the patient, including age and life stages, state of health, race and culture, values, family and previous experiences. Under direct supervision, the VA-STEP student may administer medications and conduct procedures per established policies and guidelines. The VA-STEP student influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team. Core elements of performance include knowledge and active participation in unit/program level quality improvement processes and initiatives as well as customer service programs. As a temporary, intermittent employee you will not be entitled to benefits (retirement, life insurance, health insurance or leave accrual).
**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 31st, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 6th, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every 4 weeks. Eligible applications received after that date will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available.**
Work Schedule: Varies, must be able to accept all shifts
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required
The VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) provides nursing care in accordance with duties, knowledge and skills identified in this functional statement. The VA-STEP Student Nurse Technician (SNT) administratively reports to the Student Nurse Trainee Coordinator. The VA-STEP SNT functions under the direct supervision of the RN preceptor, as assigned by Nurse Manager of the unit the VA-STEP SNT student is stationed. The VA-STEP SNT is currently enrolled in a nationally accredited School of Nursing recognized by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
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:
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 05/31/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12261305.
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/769216700. 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?
VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS), located in Fresno, California, is part of VA Sierra Pacific Network (VISN21), which includes facilities in California, Nevada, and Hawaii. VACCHCS is a 57-bed acute care, general medical and surgical center with state of the art primary, secondary and tertiary care in major diagnostic, and treatment specializations. In addition, a 54-bed Community Living Center (CLC) is located on campus and provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation care.
More History can be found here: https://www.fresno.va.gov/about/index.asp
