• Provides comprehensive professional nursing care to critically ill patients in a primarily Adult ICU.
• Provides nursing care for acutely and/or critically ill patients in an intensive care environment with potential life-threatening health problems and require observation and intervention to prevent complications and maximize health.
• Assesses nursing needs and develops and implements a Plan of Care for each patient consistent with recognized professional nursing standards, evidence-based practice, and augmented with prescribed medical care.
• Responds decisively to life-threatening changes in patient condition, providing immediate and appropriate measures, according to nursing practice standards and/or established protocols, dependent upon age group and critical care area assigned.
• Contributes to the medical examination by observing, recognizing, recording, and reporting changes in patients' conditions, subjective and objective symptoms, patient reaction to medications and patient response to therapy and treatment modalities.
• Administers a wide variety of medication to include rapid-acting, highly potent, and potentially lethal medications via various routes in accordance with hospital safety protocols (e.g., Bar Code Medication Administration or care bundles).

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position is required to be screened for and obtain necessary immunizations/vaccinations (hepatitis, influenza, etc.), unless exempted by a licensed physician.
• This position is required to work uncommon tours of duty hours such as, on-call, working either fixed or rotating shifts, evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• This position is designated “Mission Essential”. In the event of severe weather conditions or other emergency situations the incumbent may be required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• This position is subject to TDY or business travel requirements to various locations. This may require travel via privately owned vehicles, commercial transport platforms, and/or military aircraft, ships, and vehicles.
• This position requires a pre-employment physical annually and thereafter.
• This position is designated as having regular and recurring contact with children under the age of 18 and is subject to requirements of DoDI 1402.05 and AR 600-78.
• This position is designated Tier 3, Non-Critical Sensitive, Moderate Risk and requires the incumbent to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance Level as a condition of employment.
• This position requires mandatory seasonal and/or annual influenza vaccinations. Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to sign a statement consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one-year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• This position requires Basic Life Support, Advanced Life Support, and Pediatric Life Support certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Secret security clearance or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations.
• Incumbent must have active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
• The employee will work a 40-hour week (twelve-hour shifts) and may be assigned rotating shifts. Is subject to be recalled in emergency situations as directed.
• Susceptible or occupationally exposed employees who have direct contact with patients will receive immunization against communicable diseases unless a current immunization, a titer, or exemption is documented. Policy applies to all care settings.
• Employees who have contact with or potential exposure to human blood or blood products are provided hepatitis B virus vaccine in accordance with the local blood borne pathogen exposure-control plan.
• This position is a Civilian Drug Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to applicant testing and random employee drug testing.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and 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.

Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience which includes duties such as

1) providing comprehensive nursing care to critically ill patients
2) conducting patient assessments to develop and execute plan of care
3) identifying the need for immediate life saving interventions
4) administering medications through various routes in accordance with hospital safety protocols. . This definition of professional nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11)

OR

Defense Health Agency Nurse Experience Exemption: You are exempt from the one year specialized experience requirement if you were previously employed as a Nurse or Practical Nurse in the Department of War for at least one year, or are currently employed as a Nurse or Practical Nurse in the Department of War, AND after commencing work as a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of War obtained a bachelor's degree or graduate degree from an accredited professional nursing educational program.(Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

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.

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.