Laborer - Investing in VA Nursing (IVAN) Training Program

About the role

This position participates in the 6-month Investing in VA Nursing (IVAN) Training Program, serving as an assistant and is responsible for supporting the daily needs of patients and clinical areas throughout the Minneapolis VA Health Care System.

The incumbent will receive occupational training, leading to a potential conversion as a Nursing Assistant in our medical center upon completion of training and competency review.

What you will do

• Applicants will be reviewed starting 8/24/2026 and no later than 9/17/2026 for the class tentatively starting on 12/1/2026.
• This training program is a temporary 6 month appointment.
• This position has high visibility throughout the institution and requires excellent customer service skills.
• The employee assists in all aspects of support for patient care including the movement of patients, equipment, supplies and staff assistance.
• Major Duties and Responsibilities: Responsible for the safe and efficient movement of Veterans, either alone or with a nursing staff member as needed Receives requests and complies with excellent customer service and phone etiquette Responds to requests to procure supplies, equipment, etc. from and for various areas of the facility, as requested by supervisor Assists with lifting & moving patients between rooms or wards using Safe Patient Handling equipment Assists with related therapeutic recreation by transporting Veterans and assisting with maintaining safety of Veterans during program Assists with activities through patient transport and equipment assembly and delivery Maintains competencies and is able to assist with physical management of disruptive behavior in mental health or other areas of the facility Provides and transports equipment as available Disinfects / wipes down equipment with approved cleaning product prior to and after each patient transport Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Work Schedule: Monday -Friday (days vary) 7:30am - 4:00pm during the course (approximately 6 weeks), then 7:30am - 4:00pm (Days) or 3:30pm - 2400 (Evenings), (including weekends) upon course completion.
• Work hours will be further discussed during the interview process.
• Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer - Investing in VA Nursing (IVAN) Training Program/PD608110 and PD60811A Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual Position: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Reporting: Not required The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation Selective Services Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (***).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Applicants will be referred in the order in which they were received.

Documents you must provide

• Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Performance Appraisal Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Please review the above list(s) to ensure you have included all necessary documents required for your application.
• Not every applicant will require the same documents, therefore it is the applicants responsibility to ensure that their application package includes all necessary documents to determine qualifications and eligibility for appointment, such as a copy of your SF-50, transcript, ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).You will not be contacted for additional information.
• Applicants will be deemed ineligible if supporting documentation is not submitted.
• Veterans' Preference: Since the Direct-Hire Recruitment Authority is being used, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply.
• Qualified veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
• Applications are accepted online.
• Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

What to expect next

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated 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.

Additional information

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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is 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.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

To be well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at ***

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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.