Student Nurse Technician (VA-STEP)

The VA-STEP (VA Student Trainee Experience Program) is an honors program for select nursing students who have completed the junior year of an CCNE accredited BSN nursing program. VA-STEP provides a structured clinical experience with a BSN-prepared preceptor and education course work in a clinical setting. The program consists of a 400-hour experience during the summer months.

**Qualifications:**
Qualifications Requirements: English Language Proficiency. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Must be 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 cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, with nursing courses graded B or A. Be currently enrolled in an accredited BSN. Have completed the final semester/quarter of junior year prior to the program start date. Have had at least one clinical experience in a medical center or hospital. Provide documentation of immunization status and current Health Care Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) training. Recommendation letter from the Dean or 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), with anticipated graduation date. Experience: No formal work experience is required. It is recommended that SNTs be hired following completion of fundamentals in nursing or first nursing clinical course. This allows for the attainment of basic nursing skills and knowledge for application to the SNT position. Work Hour Requirements: VA-STEP participants must be able to complete 400 hours of employment in the VA-STEP role from VA-STEP start date till graduation from education program. Additional Considerations: The VA-STEP participant must not be under a service obligation to any other federal, state, or private institution or be a recipient of any federal scholarship that incurs a service obligation to another organization. They also must not be obligated to work for another institution following graduation and must intend to work for VHA following graduation. Physical Requirements: This position includes a level of physicality normally associated with duties performed by nurses such as direct patient care, and potentially long periods of walking, standing, sitting, moderate lifting, repeated bending, or kneeling. Requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. It requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The environment's pace can vary. The incumbent must have the ability to priority patient care needs. Weight limitations vary depending on area of service and functional duties.