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.

Duties

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. Provides direct care for complex, acute and long term patients according to established Policies and Procedures for a Student Nurse Technician. Makes observations of subtle changes in patient's condition. Documents care given, observations, and responses on appropriate tools or forms. Administers complete tracheotomy care including suctioning. Assures receipt of adequate nutritional intake either through observation of patient, by feeding patient or properly positioning and checking placement of feeding tube. Performs enemas, colostomy care, skin care (including simple dressings), application of braces and prosthetic devices, and monitors intake and output, all according to established procedures. Recognizes the patient's autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Initiates emergency procedures and demonstrates competence according to Adult Basic CPR, Safety and Emergency policy and procedures with minimal supervision. Identifies, corrects and/or reports actual or potential safety hazards within the workplace, including malfunctioning equipment immediately. Reports all accidents or special incidents to supervisor at time of occurrence and completes all documentation as indicated. Handles patient care equipment safely and demonstrates competence in its use. Adheres to principles of disturbed behavior management and body mechanics as trained. Supports and promotes a therapeutic milieu and protects patients' rights. Handles patient care equipment safely and demonstrates competence in its use. Adheres to principles of disturbed behavior management and body mechanics as trained. Supports and promotes a therapeutic milieu and protects patients' rights. Prepares and administers oral, intra-muscular and subcutaneous medications according to policy and documents in BCMA; including insertion of medication into the eye, ear, nose, bladder, rectum and vagina. Administers allergy and flu injections as ordered. As assigned, demonstrates competence according to policy/procedure under direct supervision of an RN. Documents administration of medication including patient's response according to policy. Performs the following components of IV therapy: Initiates IV start with 20 gauge angiocath (teflon catheter). Observes and reports on peripheral intravenous insertion site. Identifies and discontinues IV infiltrations immediately and notifies RN. Changes dressing on peripheral IV sites. Observes and monitors a patient during a blood transfusion. Identifies, reports and documents medication errors/discrepancies, reactions and side effects immediately. VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Work Schedule: Intermittent as scheduled with preceptor 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

Requirements

Qualifications

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.

Education

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.

Contacts

• Address John D Dingell Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4646 John R Street Detroit, MI 48201 US
• Name: Beverly Jackson
• Phone: 313-576-1000
• Email: [email protected]