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Practical Nurse

Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service
Public Health Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is located in the Red Lake Service IHS, Red Lake, MN.

The purpose of the position is to provide direct patient care to patients with a variety of medical,
surgical, pediatric, women's health, and health maintenance needs. Performs duties under the general
supervision and guidance of the Outpatient Supervisor and assists other health care providers in
providing care and maintaining a safe and quality care environment.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/16/2024 to 01/31/2025
Salary
$45,420 to - $71,680 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Red Lake, MN
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Part-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
6
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
IHS-24-BJ-12554499-DH
Control number
811892800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

The IHS is required by law to give absolute preference to qualified applicants who meet the Secretary of the Interior's definition of Indian for appointment to vacancies within the IHS in accordance with established IHS policy as outlined in the Indian Health Manual Part 7, Chapter 3. The IHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Duties

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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. ยท
  • 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.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary/trial period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

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.

Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities.

COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty.

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

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

Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation 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

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:

GS-05- 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 as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples include: Recognize need for and institute emergency measures when indicated; perform catheterizations, changes surgical dressing, perform suctioning; administer vitamins, antibiotics, and corticosteroids.

GS-06-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 as described in the vacancy announcement. Examples include: 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.

Time In Grade
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.

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: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

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 https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

OPEN UNTIL FILLED: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL THE VACANCY IS FILLED. IT MAY BE EXTENDED OR CLOSED PRIOR TO THE CURRENT CLOSING DATE. APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 EST TUESDAY TO BE CONSIDERED, CUT OFF DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 10/15/2024 AND EVERY TUESDAY THERE AFTER.

This position is being announced concurrently under the Excepted Service Examining Plan/Merit Promotion Plan. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-24-12554498-ESEP/MP; for eligibility requirements. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement in order to be considered.

Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed.

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

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.

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

This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/.

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 - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/

This position has promotion potential to the GS-06 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.

Work requires rotating shifts and schedules; long periods of recurring standing, bending and walking' and lifting and moving of patients and equipment; Employee may be subject to physical and emotional stress such as those related to dealing with dying patients and their families; and demanding or violent patients.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and Veterans' Preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet. Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and any other requirements.

Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12554499. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 01/31/2025, to be considered.

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