Patient Advocate Remote Jobs in Rice, MN (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This position serves as an assistant and is responsible for supporting the daily needs of Veterans in the Community Living Center and other Rehab and Extended Care programs. The incumbent assists in all aspects of support for patient care including the movement of patients, equipment, supplies and staff assistance at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, physically located in St. Cloud, MN.
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Duties
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This announcement will be used to capture applicants for current and future vacancy opportunities. The first round of applicants for our next class will be reviewed starting 07/30/2026.
Candidates hired for this IVAN position will receive supervised clinical training. After successful completion of the program, each IVAN employee has up to 24 months to take the Nurse Aide Training Competency, however this is not a requirement. They may continue to work as an IVAN employee until they are hired permanently, or until notice is given to discontinue participation in the IVAN program, up to 6 months from the start date.
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 include, but not limited to:

• The Orderly is primarily responsible for the safe and efficient movement of Veterans, either alone or with a nursing staff member as needed.
• Receives requests and comply with excellent customer service and phone etiquette.
• Is expected to be well-informed of work progress, establish work priorities and adjust comply with new or revised recommendations from the supervisor.
• 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 CLC related therapeutic recreation by transporting Veterans and assisting with maintaining safety of Veterans during program.
• Maintains safety of Veterans in the Red Vest program by following red vest SOP.
• Assists with Rehabilitation activities through patient transport and equipment assembly and delivery.
• Consults with the supervisor to make changes or coordinate work as needed.
• Maintains competencies and is able to assist with physical management of disruptive behavior in mental health or other areas of the facility.
• Maintains competencies on Safe Patient Handling equipment and assists with ongoing training needs throughout facility.
• Makes changes to meet deadlines and priorities set by nursing service.
• Assures compliance with hand-off communication procedures, checking patient's identification and escort destination prior to transporting to ensure proper patient identification & location.
• Provides and transports equipment as available.
• Disinfects/wipes down equipment with approved cleaning product prior to and after each patient transport. Rounds regularly on inpatient wards to ensure Reusable Equipment is clean and disinfected for staff use.
• Maintains order and accessibility of reusable medical equipment in the CLC storage area.
• Requests or provides assistance from the nursing team to transfer patients to or from transport equipment, when needed using Safe Patient Handling resources.
• Responsible for notifying nursing or ancillary personnel upon arrival or departure of patients.
• Safeguards documents relating to the patient.
• Report immediately any unusual symptoms of patients i.e., fainting or shortness of breath during time of escort.
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• As requested, takes discharged patients to the door to await transportation.

Work Schedule: Daytime Hours 7:30am - 4:00pm, various days during the week, 20 hours, as needed for program completion. (Work hours may be further discussed during interview process)
Position Description Title/PD#: Laborer - Investing in VA Nursing (IVAN) Training Program/PD90516-A, PD90516A, PD90516A, and PD90516A
Telework: Not Authorized
Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized
Virtual/Remote Position: This is not a virtual/remote position.
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
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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.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Selected applicants will be required to complete a pre-employment physical

Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
EXPERIENCE: A specific length of training and experience is not required, but you must show evidence of training or experience of sufficient scope and quality of your ability to do the work of this position. Evidence which demonstrates you possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of this position must be supported by detailed descriptions of such on your resume. Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Federal Wage System Qualification Standards.
SCREEN-OUT ELEMENT: Your qualifications will first be evaluated against the prescribed screen out element, which usually appears as question 1 in the on-line questionnaire. Those applicants who appear to possess at least the minimal acceptable qualification requirement are considered for further rating; those who do not are rated ineligible and are eliminated. The potential eligible are then rated against the remainder of the Job Elements:

• Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
• Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
• Dexterity and Safety
• Reliability and Dependability
• Work Practices (Including Keeping Things Neat, Clean, and in Order)

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.
NOTE: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.
Physical Requirements: Ability to be on feet for the majority of the day. Will be required to stand and walk up to 10hours a day throughout the facility. Will be required to climb and descend stairs to reach certain destinations. Must have no lifting restrictions. Will be required to push and pull wheelchairs and other equipment weighing up to 400 pounds. Will be required to push and pull beds and equipment, with assistance, weighing up to 1000 pounds. Will be required to transport supplies weighing up to 20 pounds. Will be required to transport patient belongings and miscellaneous equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Will be required to transport patients and items up and down an incline of 1 inch per foot. Will be required to have bilateral motor coordination to handle patients and equipment. Will be required to assist with physical management of disruptive behavior in patients.
Working Conditions: Work will be performed on the grounds of the Saint Cloud VA Health System, primarily within the facility. Main duties include lifting and positioning patients, assisting with disruptive behavior patients in a clinical setting, transporting and moving patients, and cleaning reusable medical equipment. Pushing and pulling hospital equipment, walking distances, taking stairs, and answering cell phone will be daily occurrences. Retrieving equipment from around the hospital and grounds, and delivering equipment to various areas is expected. Assisting clinical staff with obtaining equipment and other patient support items will be needed. Work is in a Medical Center setting and involves possible exposure to contagious disease which will require appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as identified.
Must be able to speak, spell, read, write and understand English. Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to interact well with patients of all ages. Must have good patient relations and courteous manners. Must be able to work under stress in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to operate computer and cell phone. Must demonstrate reliability, punctuality and good attendance.
Education
There is no education substitution for this position.
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 https://www.opm.gov/.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule