License Practical Nurse

Summary

At the Indian Health Service, License Practical Nurse do more than practice medicine-they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.

Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus, if eligible.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

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Duties

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Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Practical Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct, evidence-based nursing care to patients experiencing acute, sub-acute, or chronic health conditions in inpatient, outpatient, or home care settings. As a vital member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, the LPN demonstrates clinical competence, sound judgment, and a commitment to patient-centered care. Assignments may range from routine to complex, requiring independent performance of nursing functions within established policies and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician.

• Observing, recording, and reporting changes in patients' physical or emotional condition and contributing to the development and revision of the patient-driven, holistic plan of care.
• Providing safe, comprehensive nursing care to patients across the life span in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures.
• Preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous), monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects, and accurately documenting patient response.
• Performing basic and intermediate nursing procedures and treatments such as sterile dressing changes, catheter care, bladder scanning, blood glucose monitoring, specimen collection, and wound care.
• Recognizing and responding to urgent or emergent situations, initiating basic life support and other emergency measures while awaiting further assistance.
• Assisting with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including preparing the patient, assembling supplies and instruments, maintaining aseptic/sterile technique, and monitoring the patient before, during, and after procedures.
• Providing education and reinforcement of teaching to patients and families related to disease processes, treatment regimens, and self-care activities.
• Utilizing electronic medical record systems to document care accurately and timely in accordance with facility documentation guidelines.
• Practicing infection control and safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to isolation precautions.
• Participating in interdisciplinary team conferences, performance improvement initiatives, and discharge planning to support optimal patient outcomes.
• Establishing therapeutic and respectful relationships with patients and families that foster trust, privacy, and dignity in care delivery.
• Serving as a preceptor to orient and mentor less experienced LPNs, nursing assistants, or health technicians.
• Actively seeking opportunities for continuing education and professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and competency.

Requirements

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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

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

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 that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.

The selected individual is required to maintain any licensure requirements.

Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift rotations may vary from 8-, 10-and 12-hour shifts. On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit

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) :

Individual Occupational Requirements

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.

Applicants who meet the licensure requirement are considered fully qualified for GS-3.

Additional Requirements for Grades GS-4 and Above

Experience: Qualifying experience includes nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as:

• Providing pre- and post-operative patient care.
• Observing, recording, and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients.
• Providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients.
• Assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients.
• Setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus.

For GS-4: 6 months of nursing experience is required.

For GS-5 and above: 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level is required.

OR

Education/Training: For GS-4: Successful completion of a program in practical nursing of a least 9 months' duration combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience; or successful completion of a 2-year degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below-

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks

Specialized Experience GS-4: Assist with basic nursing care tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing, or transporting patients, measure and record vital signs and report changes in condition, assist with simple diagnostic or treatment procedures while maintaining sterile technique, and following infection control and safety policies.

Specialized Experience GS-5: Observe, record, and report changes in patients' behavior or physical condition, carry out nursing procedures in accordance with established guidelines and care plans, take vital signs, collect specimens, and maintain accurate documentation, set up and maintain medical equipment for procedures., assist physicians and Registered Nurses during examinations and treatments, and provide instructions to patients and families regarding care and follow-up activities.

Specialized Experience GS-6: P erform a range of treatment procedures such as insert catheters, administer immunizations, change sterile dressings, and provide wound care, administer medications safely and monitoring for therapeutic or adverse effects, recognize urgent and emergent situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions, provide patient and family education on health maintenance, medication use, and disease management, assist physicians and RNs with complex procedures and specialized diagnostic tests, and serve as a preceptor or resource to less experienced staff and participate in quality improvement and training activities.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

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

Financial Suitability Requirement:

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous 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.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required.

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-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.

1. 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?
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
4. 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).

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 of law and the United States Constitution.

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 of law and the United States Constitution.

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