Nurse (All Specialties)

Summary At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Nurses 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. Begin your journey with purpose - AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign‑on bonus, if you are eligible. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Duties Provide comprehensive care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients within the Indian Health Service within the Emergency Department, Obstetrics/Labor & Delivery, Operating Room, and Med/Surg‑Inpatient. Assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the delivery of skilled patient care in accordance with nursing standards and evidence‑based practice. Supervising the delivery of nursing care by other professional and non‑professional staff, providing guidance, evaluation, and feedback as needed. Collaborating with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers to develop and implement coordinated care plans. Utilizing critical thinking skills to make complex clinical decisions and respond effectively to rapidly changing patient conditions. When a physician or midwife is not immediately available, initiate pre‑planned emergency nursing interventions to ensure maternal and neonatal safety, including preparation of the operating room, serving as circulating or scrub nurse, and performing newborn resuscitation and assessment. Maintains a professional, compassionate, and therapeutic environment. Administers prescribed therapeutic interventions including medications, intravenous fluids, blood products, and other treatments in accordance with established policies and standards of care. Collaborates with physicians, certified nurse midwives, and interdisciplinary team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized patient care plans across the continuum of care including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, obstetrical triage, and newborn nursery services. Obtains and maintains certifications such as BLS, ACLS, NRP, and Fetal Monitoring. Formulating, implementing, and documenting individualized plans of care based on assessment findings and patient condition. Responding to life‑threatening situations and initiating emergency resuscitation measures in accordance with adult and pediatric resuscitation protocols. Maintaining required certifications (e.g., ACLS, BLS, PALS) and demonstrating competency in advanced perioperative and procedural nursing skills. Supervising the delivery of nursing care by other professional and non‑professional staff, providing guidance, evaluation, and feedback as needed. Collaborating with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the interdisciplinary team to plan, coordinate, and evaluate patient care to achieve optimal outcomes. Performing on‑call duties as required to provide patient care during off‑tour hours for emergency surgical and procedural cases. Working with other staff to ensure sponge and instrument counts are correct. Functions as the second circulator for complex surgical procedures. Promoting evidence‑based nursing practice through coordinating care focused on patient education, self‑management, and overall satisfaction throughout the continuum of inpatient care. Performing comprehensive assessments, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care based on clinical findings and the nursing process. Administering medications and performing procedures in accordance with established policies and clinical standards. Recognizing changes in patient condition, identifying urgent or emergent situations, and initiating appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety. Ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards and maintaining knowledge of current clinical and operational guidelines. Requirements Conditions of employment U.S. Citizenship is required. Selectees may be subject to a probationary period. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. The position is advertised under Direct Hire Authority. Selections will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current employees will receive new appointments with the same benefits and time served. Position covered by Public Law 101-630 requiring contact or control over Indian children. The agency ensures that individuals hired have not been found guilty of or pleaded guilty to certain crimes. Employees may be subject to health policies for measles, rubella, seasonal influenza, and must comply with immunization requirements. Must obtain and maintain licensure requirements. On‑call hours or standby duty may be required. Must pass E‑Verify employment verification check. Position subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift rotations may vary from 8‑, 10‑, and 12‑hour shifts. Direct deposit must be set up. The position requires a federal background investigation and completion of all required forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties. Experience includes paid, unpaid, volunteer, and part‑time work. You must clearly identify duties, responsibilities, and total hours per week for each position held. Basic Requirement(s) Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor’s, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing program is required. Licensure: Must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination and possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory. Experience: At GS‑9 and above, many positions require experience in a specialty area of nursing. Basic Requirements for the GS‑9 Grade Level Possession of a master’s degree in professional nursing; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS‑7 grade or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing from a professional nursing program. Basic Requirements for the GS‑11 Grade Level Successful completion of a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS‑9 grade) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a professional nursing program. Minimum Qualifications You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower federal grade. The following describes the required type of work and tasks for each specialty. ER GS‑09 – Provide professional nursing care; knowledge of pharmaceuticals; recognize adverse signs; perform triage using the Emergency Severity Index system. ER GS‑11 – Serve as a senior clinical expert in emergency nursing; manage complex, high‑risk patients; lead quality improvement and evidence‑based initiatives; ensure compliance with regulations. OB GS‑09 – Provide obstetrical nursing care; develop individualized care plans; monitor fetal status; respond to emergent situations. OB GS‑11 – Independently provide comprehensive obstetric care; manage acute situations; coordinate patient care; lead initiatives in the OB department. OR GS‑09 – Provide perioperative nursing care; circulate and scrub; educate patients; monitor vital signs. OR GS‑11 – Develop policies for infection control; coordinate education and training; oversee projects and investigations. Med/Surg GS‑09 – Perform complex assessments; develop and evaluate nursing care plans; serve as preceptor or clinical resource. Med/Surg GS‑11 – Manage care for highly complex patients; lead quality improvement initiatives; collaborate with interdisciplinary partners. All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Additional Information Financial suitability requirements: Review of applicant’s financial history; must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations before applying. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized; a 6‑month service agreement will be required. Student Loan Repayment Programs are available through the Indian Health Service National Health Service Corps and the Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Corps. Promotion potential to the GS‑11 grade level is based on demonstrated ability and management discretion. Promotion is not guaranteed. Applicants will be evaluated under the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. Essay responses (200 words or less) may be requested regarding commitment to the Constitution, improving efficiency, and related topics. Responses are optional but may be reviewed by hiring managers. Applicants should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of the American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. #J-18808-Ljbffr