Practical Nurse

Summary The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides comprehensive nursing services to ambulatory patients at the Pawnee Indian Health Center in Pawnee, Oklahoma. The position reports to the Supervisory Nurse. Recruitment or relocation incentive of $5,000 may be authorized with a one year service agreement. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Responsibilities Performs a wide range of diagnostic support duties, which includes taking vital signs, documenting patient's pain perception, obtaining specimens, administering medications, receiving and recording lab results, positioning patients and assisting physicians with procedures. Supports patient and/or family in the integration of the patient plan of care toward changes to improve health. Observes and documents pertinent information regarding patient status in the electronic health record. Participates in planning patient care that is consistent with accepted nursing standards and in compliance with prescribed medical treatment plan. Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Practical Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Direct Hire Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same. This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance. The selected individual is required to maintain any licensure requirements. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S) Licensure: Candidates must be currently licensed to practice as practical or vocational nurses in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or must have applied for a license to practice. Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of the license, a notarized statement attesting to the fact, or a citation of the license number and State issuing it. Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required license during the probationary period. Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved. No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained. Additional Requirements for Grades GS-4 and Above GS-04: Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of nursing experience. This experience includes nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, home health, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures. Examples include preparing patients for examinations or treatments; measuring and recording vital signs and other patient measurements; observing and reporting changes in patients' conditions; documenting patient information and care in medical records; assisting with routine diagnostic or treatment procedures while maintaining sterile technique when required; and following infection control and safety procedures. OR Successfully completed a program in practical nursing of a least 9 months' duration combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience. OR Successfully completed a 2-year degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing. GS-05: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing basic nursing care under supervision in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care setting. Examples include providing routine nursing care; obtaining and documenting vital signs; administering authorized medications and performing simple wound care; monitoring patients and reporting changes in condition; preparing patients and assisting with EKGs, specimen collection, immunizations, or minor treatments; following established infection control procedures; and reinforcing instructions on medications, preventive care, and follow-up appointments. GS-06: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing a moderately difficult range of nursing care duties in a hospital, clinic, or similar setting. Examples include independently carrying out a wide range of practical nursing duties under the general supervision of a registered nurse or physician; administering medications, performing wound care, and carrying out physician or nurse orders; recognizing changes in patient condition and taking appropriate action within the scope of practice; prioritizing care for patients with varied needs; assisting with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures while maintaining aseptic technique; documenting patient responses in the electronic health record; and instructing patients and families on medications, post-treatment care, preventive health measures, and follow-up requirements. You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration. Education This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines. This is a competitive process separate from the hiring process. Opportunities for LRP are based on agency hiring priorities and availability of funds. For additional information please visit: For IHS - For NHSC - For HRSA Nurse Corps - This position has promotion potential to the GS-GS-6 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied. You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).