Summary Become a Registered Nurse at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System with our VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP)! VA-STEP serves as a first step to gain employment within the VA after graduation and licensure. The student is employed as a trainee earning a salary while they learn to develop understanding, confidence, and competencies in the care of our nations Veterans at your local VA Salt Lake City facility. Responsibilities The VA-Step (VA Student Trainee Experience Program) Student Nurse Technician is designed to attract academically successful students of nursing programs to VA Medical Centers. Under the guidance of a proficient VA Registered Nurse preceptor, the student will develop clinical competencies in nursing specialty areas such as critical care, medical-surgical, post-surgical, ICU, mental health, and other clinical settings throughout the VA Medical Center. The learning opportunities in the specialty clinical areas will be enhanced by didactic course work, structured clinical experiences including competency-based clinical practice and participation in nursing-focused clinical conferences. The VA-Step Student Nurse Technician adheres to established policies, standards of care, standards of practice; provide direct nursing care under the direct supervision of a qualified BSN preceptor, and functions as a team member. Under the direct supervision of a qualified BSN preceptor, the VA-Step Student Nurse Technician is developing the educational, experiential, and knowledge/practice-based competency requirements outlined in the following four (4) dimensions: Practice Dimension Practice: Use the nursing process (assessment, diagnosis outcome identification, planning, implementation, evaluation) and accurately document the care of patients. Ethics: Safeguard patient privacy and confidentiality and provide care in non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner, respect the values and beliefs of members of all cultures. Resource Utilization: Provide care in a safe and cost effective manner 2. Professional Development Dimension Performance: Participate in appraisal of own performance Education/Career Development: Seek opportunities to acquire and improve basic skills 3. Collaboration Dimension Collaboration: Communicate with the patient and health care providers regarding patient care Collegiality: Establish professional relationships with peers and seek out colleagues for mutual information exchange 4. Scientific Inquiry Quality of Care: Describe the quality improvement process, roles, and responsibilities, and identify quality improvement activities on the unit Research: Assist in identifying problem areas in nursing practice Students must be currently attending a College or University and be in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program approved by the appropriate State-Accrediting Agencies 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). NOTE: Submit a letter from the Dean or Director of the school to the designee of the chosen VA Medical facility. 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), verification of a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and successful completion (or within one semester of completion) of the Junior year. Additionally, students must submit a reference from a current faculty member. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday Day Shift Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available 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. Currently attending a College or University and be in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program 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). Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The CGPA must be computed on post-secondary academic work taken within the past 3 years, or; based on academic work accepted for credit towards the clinical laboratory science degree While a student may have a grade "C" in a specialty course, the cumulative GPA for their specialty courses may not be less than a 3.0. Only data on official transcripts should be used for determining grade qualifications Be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a VA-Step Student in a VA Facility Not be under a service obligation to any Federal, State, or Private Institution, or be a recipient of any Federal scholarship that incurs a service obligation to another organization Currently in a Good Academic Standing (as defined by the school the student is attending) leading to graduation and NCLEX certification Not obligated to work somewhere outside the VA after graduation Undergo a Background/Suitability Investigation Preferred Experience: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Support Assistant or other related Healthcare Experience Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-6 Nurse Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. Mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The Student Nurse Technician may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The Student Nurse Technician may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The Student Nurse Technician must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment. 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.