Student Nurse Technician (Community Living Center)

Full Job Description

The Student Nurse Technician (SNT) at VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) in Vancouver, WA, assumes various nursing care duties, applying learned skills from academic training and validating them with VA staff.

SNTs conduct basic nursing procedures, focusing on patient care, adherence to policies, compliance with regulations, and upholding hospital practices to enhance the overall care experience at VAPORHCS.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements at the time of application.

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.

Student of a school of professional nursing approved 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).

Education: Completed one full academic year post high school and enrolled in an Associates of Nursing Degree, Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing degree, Master of Science in Nursing degree, or bridge program.

Additional Requirement: Basic Life Support (BLS) required for SNT's in direct patient care positions per policy.

Incumbent will be self-directed in completing orientation, annual competency requirements, and on-going mandatory education.

Grade Determination: SNT-3 Completion of 1 academic years of post-high school study. SNT-4 Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree.

The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job.

The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.

Note: An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Appointment of Students and other Technicians Under 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D).

This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44lbs); Moderate carrying (15-44lbs); Straight pulling (1 hour); Pushing (1-2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hours); Standing (4-6 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); 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 Major Duties:

VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package.

The Student Nurse Technician (SNT) position is an intermediate developmental position; Incumbents will be given opportunities to provide basic nursing care and procedures in alignment with the competencies learned in the academic setting and validated by VA staff in order to provide care to patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions in a health care setting.

The significant factor is that they provide care under close supervision, are learning to perform complex nursing skills, and will refer issues/questions to supervisors, higher graded SNTs, Licensed staff or other healthcare professionals.

The position may perform theses duties in a variety of health care settings such as inpatient and acute.

Functions include but are not limited to: Utilizes glucose monitoring machine to collect and document appropriate glucose readings for assigned veteran.

Observes patients needs for the following: Personal Hygiene, Physical comfort, Activity, Exercise, Rest, Nutrition, Elimination, Prevention of Skin Breakdown, Rehabilitative Aspects of Care, Engages in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups.

Sets up patient care related equipment, Organizes and obtains routine supplies and equipment, Assists with orienting patient/family to unit routines and policies, monitors patients according to levels of observations.

Performs and documents prescribed medical treatment and interventions for patients, such as diabetic urine testing and blood testing, simple dressing changes.

The position also begins to utilize rehabilitative principles to promote patient independence and recovery, encouraging and guiding them in bowel and bladder training and all aspects of AM.

Engaging in-group activities such as off-station trips, reality orientation, current events and other therapeutic groups. Work Schedule: Schedule will vary per service needs.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required