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Practical Nurse

Department of Defense
Military Treatment Facilities under DHA

Summary

About the Position: This position is with the Defense Health Agency at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center located at Fort Hood, Texas.

This is a Direct Hire Solicitation

This is an open continuous announcement. Multiple vacancies exist and may be filled from this announcement. We accept applications on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
10/04/2025 to 12/31/2025
Salary
$53,834 to - $69,978 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 5
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Fort Hood, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Business Travel may be required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
HSJW-26-12809274-DHA-S
Control number
847417300

Duties

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  • Obtain information from patient and/or family, take all vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, pain level, height, weight, glucometer blood glucose readings), and perform a behavioral health screening.
  • Document patients' chief complaints, medication reconciliation, screening tools, and behavioral health intake survey as applicable in the patient's health record.
  • Assist the physician with various examinations and diagnostic procedures as well as setting up, operate and monitor specialized equipment, such as cardiac monitor, defibrillator, etc.
  • Provide individualized nursing care to patients of all ages based upon the physician’s medical care plan, the nursing assessment, and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient.
  • Administer oral, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular immunizations to all age groups, document interventions and patients’ response, recognize signs and symptoms of adverse reaction, and communicate relevant information to healthcare team.
  • Educate patients and/or family regarding self-care procedures, normal verses adverse reactions to immunizations and treatment for normal reactions of discomfort, and special needs such as medication administration, ostomy care, etc.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • A Personnel Security Investigation is required.
  • This position may have specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties may require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
  • Selectees may be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
  • This position is a Testing Designated Position subject to pre-employment screening and random drug testing. Selectees will be required to consent to participation in random drug urinalysis testing.
  • A pre-placement medical examination may be required.
  • Immunization screening may be required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS.
  • Applicants must be able to fulfill non-privileged professional credential requirements.
  • This position may include shift work (evenings, weekends, holidays).
  • This position may require rotating shifts (i.e. work schedule that requires employees to continuously rotate from one shift to another at predetermined intervals).
  • This position may require the incumbent to work during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
  • May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
  • May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
  • May be required to obtain and maintain certification in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).
  • This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
  • This position may require the incumbent to work weekends and/or holidays.
  • Moderate to heavy lifting may be required.
  • This position may require the incumbent to have tuberculosis testing.
  • Additional requirements may be determined as positions arise and will be communicated during the hiring process if you are selected.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Practical Nurse:

Licensure: A current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, 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.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below:

Experience: One year of nursing experience 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: measuring patient's vital signs, administering immunizations or medications via various routes, and screening or updating patient medical records. This definition of experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

This announcement may be used to fill Practical Nurse positions in the following specialty areas: Office Automation (OA), Administrative, Psychiatric, Advanced Practice, Obstetric/Gynecologic, General, Primary Care, Pediatric, Sports Medicine, Occupational/Community Health, Operating Room, Surgery, Lead Practical Nurse, Orthopedic/Podiatry, Supervisory Practical Nurse, Dermatology, Quality Assurance Evaluation, Gastroenterology, Pulmonary, or Instructor.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959 must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates.
  • Student Loan Repayment may be authorized.
  • Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.
  • Position may require employee to wear a uniform and/or protective clothing.
  • Position may be designated as Mission Essential.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

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