• Provide direct nursing care, of a highly specialized nature, to patients undergoing major surgical procedures in the Operating Room.
• Respond to the needs of the surgeon, anesthesia provider, and patient during each surgical procedure.
• Assist physicians with examination, as well as treatment prior to, during, and following invasive procedures.
• Operate and assists in the care and handling of a variety of supplies and highly specialized equipment.
• Conduct initial perioperative assessment, acquiring pertinent patient information.
• Educate staff, patient, and family regarding pre- and post-operative care and procedures.
• Perform duties in support of sterile processing, as assigned.

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 has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age on a recurring basis.
• Selectees will be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to mandatory 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 is required.
• Immunization screening is 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 require rotating shifts (i.e. work schedule that requires employees to continuously rotate from one shift to another at predetermined intervals), working nights, weekends and holidays. May be required to be on-call periodically.
• This position is designated "Mission Essential." In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations; the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• Position requires to obtain and maintain a current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Position requires to obtain and maintain a current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
• Additional requirements may be determined as positions arise and will be communicated during the hiring process if you are selected.
• This position has a TDY or business travel requirement of 5% of the time to various locations. This may require travel via privately owned vehicles, commercial and/or military transport.
• Inclement Weather Essential: Position is designated as Inclement Weather Essential. The incumbent must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 50 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 Nurse (Operating Room):

Degree: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).

Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.

Foreign Degree: Graduates of foreign nursing schools must have completed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Certification Program. The certification program consists of a credentials evaluation, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and evidence of passing one of the approved English Language Proficiency examinations. A copy of the CGFNS Certificate is required.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

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

Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience which includes (1) Performing comprehensive professional nursing care as a circulating perioperative nurse; (2) Assisting providers with the administration of medications during surgical procedures; (3) Operating or monitoring complex medical equipment for surgical procedures; and/or (4) Educating patients or staff. 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.