Veterans Administration Long Beach is taking applications for New Grad Program

[deliverator, MSN, RN, NP]

Job Title:Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT)

Department:Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number: VR-840529 T38-13-GNT

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[TD]SALARY RANGE:

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[TD]$0.00 to $0.00 / Per Year[/TD]

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[TD]OPEN PERIOD:

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[TD]Friday, March 01, 2013 to Friday, March 15, 2013[/TD]

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[TD]SERIES & GRADE:

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[TD]VN-0610-01[/TD]

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[TD]POSITION INFORMATION:

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[TD]Full Time - Multiple Appointment Types[/TD]

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[TD]DUTY LOCATIONS:

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[TD]10 vacancies in the following location:

Long Beach, CA United StatesView Map[/TD]

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[TD]WHO MAY APPLY:

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JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 840529

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

***Candidates are hired at the Nurse 1 Level 1 Step 1 at $65,013 per annum until boarded by a Professional Standards Board. Candidates will not be boarded until they possess a verifiable, full, and unrestricted license to practice as an RN in any state or Commonwealth***

As a VA professional nurse, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.

***Salary is determined by a Professional Standards Board upon review of a completed application package***

For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.

• KEY REQUIREMENTS
  
• U.S. Citizenship
  
• Must pass pre-employment examination.
  
• Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
  
• Background and/or Security Investigation required.
  
• English Language Proficiency required.
  

DUTIES:

The Graduate Nurse Technician training program is a structures training program designed to give new graduate Registered Nurses experience in the VA System under the supervision of a preceptor. The formalized training program allows nurses with less than one year experience the opportunity to experience a highly complex healthcare system with the goal of converting all Graduate Nurse Technicians to full performance level Registered Nurses within VA. The duties of a full performance Nurse are as follows:

The incumbents selected for these positions will be under the direct supervision of the Nurse Manager of the ward to which assigned. Incumbents are responsible for the delivery of patient care in assigned areas based on scientific principles and the nursing process, and functions as a leader by assuming additional responsibility for improvement of patient care. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 1) Utilizes the nursing process in managing, developing, implementing and evaluating each patient's individual plan of care with an interdisciplinary team to attain specific clinical outcomes. 2) Implements nursing interventions as necessary for assessing patient response to surgical procedures. 3) Continuously monitors the environment for potential and/or actual safety hazards. Assures adherence to strict safety procedures by all staff. 4) Guides and directs patient care delivery of support staff. Provides input for staff evaluation to rating official(s). 5) Participates in and initiates Quality Assessment and Improvement program activities as applicable to the clinical area. 6) Promotes collaborative practice to provide and expedite quality patient care along the health care continuum; acts as patient advocate to assure appropriateness and quality of care. 7) Assesses learning needs of patients and staff and implements appropriate teaching plan. 8) Initiates and/or participates in studies pertaining to the ward assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Citizen of the United States.

2. Graduate of a school of professional nursing (ADN, BSN, MSN) 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) http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). http://www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation/accprogs.htm

3. No license required at the time of application; however, applicant needs to receive a RN license within 3 months after RN Residency program starts OR current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State, Territory or Commonwealth (i.e., Puerto Rico) of the United States, or the District of Columbia with less than one (1) year of experience

4. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

5. VALOR experience preferred.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/27, Part II, Appendix G-6 NURSE QUALIFICATION STANDARD http://www1.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=464&FType=2

Please include the following in your application package:

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION - A copy of your last two evaluations or proficiencies.

SUPERVISORY REFERENCES - Please provide 3 letters of recommendations, at least one letter of recommendation from your previous supervisor. Please upload copies of these letters into the USA Staffing system along with your application materials. DO NOT MAIL LETTERS DIRECTLY TO THE NURSE RECRUITER

LICENSE - Submit a copy of your nursing license.

Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

BENEFITS:

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life. For more information please visit us at http://www4.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp .

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Upon completing any required probationary period, the position will be permanent.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

HOW TO APPLY:

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850a IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY. You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS or Application Manager account if you apply online. Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide ( http://www.va.gov/OHRM/joblistings/uploading-and-using-documents-online.doc ) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications. Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way. Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS. Check your account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Login.aspx ) to see the status of your application after applying, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

If you cannot apply online:

1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire: View Occupational Questionnaire.
   
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire: http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf .
   
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to [phone]. Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
   
4. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.
   

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

1. Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf using the following Vacancy ID: 840529. You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.
   
2. Fax your documents to [phone].
   

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, March 15, 2013.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. CV or Resume.

2. VA Form 10-2850a - Application for Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850a-fill.pdf) (required).

3. Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/OF306.pdf). This is a required form and must be submitted with your application.

4. If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).

5. If currently employed in the VA system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).

6. Performance Evaluation- A copy of your last two evaluations or proficiencies (if available)

7. References- Please provide 3 letters of recommendations, at least one letter of recommendation is required upon initial application.

8. Transcripts- A copy of your transcripts.

9. Copy of BLS

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Grant D. Sloan

Phone: [phone]

Email: [email protected]

Agency Information:

VHA Long Beach HCS

Human Resources Management

5901 E 7th Street

Do Not Mail Applications

Long Beach, CA

90822

USA

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements. You will be notified when this decision is made.

[hippieRN]

Thanks for posting! :)

[msmith2103]

Almost done applying.. good luck everyone.

[luckyshamrock22]

I just finished my packet! Good luck everyone! Keep us posted....

[Armennavet]

Any news or updates?

[msmith2103]

Nope... Not on my end...

[msmith2103]

Nope.. Not here

[perioddrama]

Considering the posting period just ended, and take in to account the Federal government is SLOW, I'd wait for news.

Good luck to all that applied!

[luckyshamrock22]

Yes, the period is just about to end and since the process is historically slow, I'd say at best it will be about 10 days before any calls are made. That's just what I see generally from others when the process seems to go quicker. Good luck everyone and keep us posted if you hear from them...

[deliverator, MSN, RN, NP]

Good luck to you all. I remember it took me forever to get in the VA. I had 3 interviews in various depts and never got in. I ended up working at Kindred and Downey Regional to get experience and finally came on board at the VA as a staff nurse bypassing the GNT program.

[luckyshamrock22]

Good luck to you all. I remember it took me forever to get in the VA. I had 3 interviews in various depts and never got in. I ended up working at Kindred and Downey Regional to get experience and finally came on board at the VA as a staff nurse bypassing the GNT program.

Persistence pays off! Congrats! We'd love your insight....in one of those 3 interviews, were any for the GNT program? If so, how is the interview process? I also interviewed for a med/surg and didn't get it so maybe GNT is the way.

[Armennavet]

Hey guys any news yet?! I emailed them and I haven't received any replies!