Registered Nurse - Community Living Center

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program EDRP Join the VA Black Hills Health Care System in Fort Meade, South Dakota, as a Community Living Center Registered Nurse and provide compassionate, resident-centered care to Veterans.

Coordinate care, administer treatments, support independence, collaborate across disciplines, and strengthen safety, quality, and continuity of care.

What you will do

• Build a rewarding nursing career in the Community Living Center, where you will play an important role in helping Veterans maintain function, independence, safety, and quality of life.
• As part of an interdisciplinary team, you will combine hands-on nursing care with care coordination, resident and family engagement, and evidence-based practice to meet each Veteran's individual needs.
• This position also offers opportunities to serve as a clinical resource, collaborate across services on complex care needs, contribute to performance improvement, and help maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for Veterans receiving continuing care.
• Duties include, but are not limited to: Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized nursing care for Community Living Center residents while coordinating services across the continuum of care.
• Administer medications, treatments, and nursing procedures while promoting safe, effective, and resident-centered care.
• Engage Veterans, families, and caregivers in care planning, incorporating their needs, preferences, values, and goals into treatment decisions.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and other services to coordinate complex care needs and create a seamless experience for Veterans.
• Serve as a clinical resource and liaison between nursing staff and the Nurse Manager to support communication and coordinated care delivery.
• Conduct clinical and environmental rounds to evaluate care delivery, assess the therapeutic environment and safety, and identify opportunities for program improvement.
• Apply evidence-based nursing practice, research, and current literature to strengthen care delivery and support quality and performance improvement initiatives.
• Participate in the development and implementation of professional nursing standards and help ensure appropriate nursing coverage to support continuity of resident care.
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Shifts and Hours We operate on a 12-hour shift schedule: - Day Shift: 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM - Night Shift: 6:00 PM - 6:30 AM You are scheduled to work 80 hours in a two-week period.
• This includes a mix of: - 12-hour shifts (6 shifts) - 8-hour shifts (1 shifts) - Day Shift: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM - Night Shift: 10:00 PM - 6:30 AM Scheduling Notes - Shift Assignment: While we do our best to accommodate preferences, your scheduled shift may vary based on the center's needs.
• We cannot guarantee a permanent day or night shift. - Night Shift Rotation: Staff assigned to day shifts will rotate onto night shifts for a two-week period based on seniority. - Rotating hours, weekends and holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
• You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.
• Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.
• The EDRP Coordinator(s) can be reached at ****** Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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.
• 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

Experience as an RN will be evaluated to determine if the experience is of an acceptable level of quality with regard to the following five dimensions of nursing: Practice, Veteran/Patient Driven Care, Leadership, Professional Development, and Evidence/Based Practice/Research.

Each dimension of practice has criteria that demonstrate essential core competencies for VHA Nursing Personnel. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference Note: Preference eligible candidates and other Veterans will be given preference when qualification of candidates are approximately equal for Title 38 positions in VHA.
• When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications 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. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and 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.

Additional information

As a VA employee, you will enjoy a truly rewarding career, comprehensive benefits, competitive pay and other generous perks to help build a fuller, more balanced life for you and your family.

Strong starting salary, career growth, and recognition VA Nurse Locality Pay System (LPS) - ensuring our nurses are paid competitive rates within each local labor market VA Special Rates - providing regular performance-based increases and potential accelerated increases for outstanding performance Premium Pay - including overtime, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, on-call and night work Incentive Awards - including Superior Performance Awards, Special Contribution Awards, VA Honor Awards, and Non-Monetary Recognition.

8 hours of annual leave (Vacation Time) accrual for full-time Nurses and Nurse Anesthetists for each full biweekly pay period. (The highest leave accrual of any VA employee!) 4 hours of Sick leave accrual per full biweekly pay period.

12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave Organ Donor Leave Military Leave Disabled Veteran Leave Health Insurance - pre-taxed premiums and a variety of plans to choose from, ranging from traditional HMO/PPO plans with low co-pays, to High- Deductible plans. Single, spouse and family plans available.

Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) -Tax deferred retirement savings account that is similar to private sector 401(k). You may be eligible for an automatic 1% agency contribution, plus a 4% matching agency contribution.

Flexible Spending Accounts - medical & dependent care Life Insurance - with available additions for family coverage Long Term Care Insurance Leave Sharing Program Holidays - 11 paid Federal holidays each year Child Care Subsidies Employee Assistance Program Wellness and Physical Fitness Programs Transit Subsidies Continuing Education Opportunities 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.

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.