Summary 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. Responsibilities 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: Delivers safe care to assigned patients, while developing technical competencies based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice, VHA Directives, and local policies. Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments, using the nursing process, based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Demonstrates appropriate and consistent critical thinking skills. Documents the nursing process. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Enrolled in a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate State-accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing, possession of current, full, active and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement of graduation from an approved school of professional nursing. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Will have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in a accredited Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing program. Transcripts (official or unofficial) You will be required to apply to the USAJobs.gov website and the VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) through their registration website: VA AMS (intelliworxit.com). You will need to provide the following: A letter of recommendation from the Dean/Director of the school of nursing: the letter should include a nomination of the student to the program, verification of enrollment as a full time student (as defined by the school), successful completion of the junior year by May/June of the current year (or its equivalent for rotating schedules). A personal reference Essay sections must be completed on the VA-STEP portal section Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting & Carrying (45 lbs and over); Straight Pulling & Pushing (7-8 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8 hours); Standing & Kneeling (up to 1 hour): Repeated bending (7-8 hours); Both legs required. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; Hearing (aid permitted); Emotional and Mental Stability. May be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. May occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative, secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Note: Student Nurse Technicians will be paid their regular straight time base rate, but will not receive any additional premium pay for working on a legal holiday, Sundays or at night. Additionally, students will receive their regular straight time pay for time off, if relieved or prevented from working by the occurrence of a legal holiday. No compensation will be paid to students for working overtime; however, students may be granted equivalent time off for service in excess of 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. A minimum of two(2) 8-hour shifts per pay period must be completed to maintain the position. As a trainee, students may not be assigned to compressed work schedules, except when rotating with an assigned preceptor working through a pre-assigned compressed work schedule. This temporary trainee rotation must be limited as previously mentioned. When appointed on a full-time or part-time basis, students are entitled to accrue annual and sick leave in accordance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 63. When appointed on an intermittent basis, students are not entitled to leave accruals Education 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/. Additional Information 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.