The VA Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) student nurse is under the direct supervision of a VA registered nurse preceptor is responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing direct patient care. Must be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a VA-STEP student.

Duties

There are five vacancies at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon: Med-Surgical Unit The VA Student Trainee Experience Program is a student nurse who delivers fundamental, knowledge-based care to assigned Veterans while developing the technical competencies required for the specific practice setting under the direct supervision of an RN preceptor. The VA-STEP student begins in an observational mode with an RN preceptor and gradually, as they and their preceptor assess their abilities and comfort levels, the student assumes greater levels of responsibility. This guided and mentored experience is intended to strengthen confidence, critical thinking abilities, time management skills, and prioritization and delegation of care. The VA-STEP student must work with their preceptor and nurse manager to identify and select a leadership project that meets the needs of VAPORHCS as well as affording the student an opportunity to develop leadership skills. VA-STEP students are expected to attend staff meetings, unit based and facility wide educational offerings. The practice of each VA-STEP nursing student is based on skill, experience, and research, and has a direct and indirect impact on Veteran outcomes for the assigned area and the Health Care System as a whole. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Delivers safe care to assigned patients while developing technical competencies based on ANA Standards of Practice, VHA Directives, and local policies. Recognizes overt abnormal signs and symptoms and/or changes in patient condition and responds appropriately. Implements physicians'/providers' orders in a timely and complete manner. Implements nursing interventions/orders in a timely and complete manner. Requests assistance from co-workers when needed; knows when to ask for help. Formulates a plan of care based on nursing assessments, using the nursing process based on the ANA Standards of Nursing Practice. Completes initial assessment of patient condition and response to treatment and initiates follow-up as needed. Includes the patient and family/significant other in developing the initial plan of care and establishing goals. Updates plan of care with assistance as needed. Assesses patient's learning needs, learning preference, and readiness to learn. Work Schedule: Intermittent Commuting Area: Must live and attend school within 50 miles of the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon.

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. Education: Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Must have completed the final semester or quarter of the junior year in an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) accredited baccalaureate or generic equivalent nursing program. Program: Must be able to complete minimum 400 hours as a VA-STEP student. Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) 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: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); Straight pulling (1 hr); Pushing (1-2 hrs); Reaching above shoulder; Both hands required; Walking (3 hrs); Standing (4-6 hrs); Repeated bending (2 hrs); Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Mental & emotional stability required. Environmental Factors: Working closely with others; Working alone.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Rebekah Cheary
• Phone: 9185774666
• Email: [email protected]