Summary Truman VA Medical Center is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. Responsibilities The VA-STEP (VA Student Trainee Experience Program) is an honors program for select nursing students who have completed the junior year of an ACEN, CCNE, or AACN 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. This program is for those planning a career with the VA. This program provides opportunities for outstanding students (senior level in BSN programs) to develop competencies in clinical nursing while at an approved VA health care facility. Opportunities for learning include didactic or classroom experiences and competency-based clinical practice with a qualified Registered Nurse (RN) preceptor. Clinical assignments are available in the following specialties: Critical Care Unit Medical/Surgical Unit VA-STEP students who become registered nurses working in the VA may be hired at a salary rate above the minimum based on superior qualifications such as documented outstanding performance during their VA-STEP experience and/or or number of hours completed as a VA-STEP participant. Work Schedule: Varies-Temporary Appointment Not to Exceed 400 Hours Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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 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. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Have completed the final semester or quarter of your junior year of a Bachelors degree 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 National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE); Have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) 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 nursing degree. While a student may have a grade of "C" in a nursing course, the cumulative GPA for the nursing core courses may not be less than a 3.0; Meet physical examination standards. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs); Light Carrying (under 5 lbs); Straight Pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1 hour); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 8-12 hours); Standing (up to 8-12 hours); Kneeling (1 hour); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Climbing, legs only (1 hour); Climbing, use of legs and arms; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" so Jaeger 1 to 4; Mental and emotional stability; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eye required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic color; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted). 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.