This position serves as a Practical Nurse at one of the various Hospitals or Clinics in the Great Plains Area. The purpose of the position is to provide direct patient care to patients with a variety of medical, surgical, pediatric, behavioral health, women's health, and health maintenance needs. There may not be immediate vacancies at all locations. Interested applicants should check with the local Administrative Office concerning immediate employment needs.
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: Six (6) months of nursing experience is required. For GS-5: One (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level is required. For GS-6: One (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level is required. Examples of Nursing Experience: GS-4: Report and record vital signs; prepare patient for special laboratory tests; set up and manage specialized equipment. GS-5: Recognize need for and institute emergency measures when indicated; perform catheterizations, changes surgical dressing, perform suctioning; administer vitamins, antibiotics, and corticosteroids. GS-6: Assist with escorting/transporting patients to various services areas in the health center; instruct patients' role in various procedures and assist with chaperoned examinations; reinforce patient teaching given by the professional nurse and medical staff; administer oral medications, perform subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; maintain immunization inventory including ordering, logging, and reporting. 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. Time In Grade (Merit Promotion Candidates Only) Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Provides age specific nursing care services to ambulatory care clinics, general medical, surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, neonatal, intensive care/critical care and emergency room patients. Prepares and administers following physician order for medication both orally and by intramuscular injection, performs catheterization, changes surgical dressings, suctioning and irrigates body orifices. Screens by obtaining vital signs, gross and subtle observations and facts regarding patient treatment and progress; documents assessment on patient record. Prepares patients for special laboratory tests, examinations, and treatments. Sets up and manages specialized equipment such as suction, oxygen, EKG and a variety of drainage tubes; labels tissue specimens. Provides patient and family education. (Medication use, activities, diet, self-care and assists with special to simple tests and procedures).