Duties
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.
The Nursing VA STEP focuses on individual growth and development in practice with increased levels of self-direction. The practice of each Nursing VA Step is based on skill, experience, and research and has a direct and indirect impact on client outcomes for the assigned area. Works on the preceptor's assignment of care for the day; does not carry an independent patient care load.
Clinical duties include:
- Provides direct patient and family teaching.
- Resolves patient care problems and evaluates care given to assigned patients.
- Reassesses nursing actions for effectiveness in achieving desired outcomes and communicates changes in patient's progress.
- Participates in interdisciplinary rounds and shares information regarding the patient and their care needs.
- Manages workload as assigned, organizes, and completes assignments in an efficient and appropriate manner.
- Documents care provided, observations, and patient responses to interventions.
- Incorporates patient preferences into shared care delivery decisions.
- Establishes a therapeutic relationship, allowing the patient to attain, maintain, or regain optimal function through assessment and treatment.
- Engages patients, families, and other caregivers to incorporate knowledge, values, and beliefs into care planning without judgement or discrimination.
- Functions in a safe manner including but not limited to infection control and operating of equipment.
- Utilizes nursing research and literature in daily practice.
- Provides care appropriate to the age-related needs of the adult and geriatric patients served in the assigned service area.
- Seeks opportunities to learn new skills.
- Attends all mandatory in-services as well as shares knowledge gained from school with staff.
- Knowledgeable of ethical issues related to professional nursing practice and follows established policies of the practice setting.
- Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills and professional behaviors that promote cooperation and teamwork with internal and external customers.
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: Variable
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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 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 five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research. 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Letter from Dean or Director of School
- Reference from Current Faculty
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA. When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit
Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/31/2025 to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Applicant Registration - VA AMS to create a ID.me account. or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to complete the application and application requirements.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
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.