Summary At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Nurses do more than practice medicine-they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most. Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose - AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus, if you are eligible. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Responsibilities Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations. The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive care to Obstetrics/Gynecology, Labor & Delivery Inpatients within the Indian Health Service: Provides professional nursing care in the obstetrical unit for patients in labor and delivery, postpartum through discharge, and for newborns from birth to discharge. Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized patient care plans across the continuum of care including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, obstetrical triage, and newborn nursery services. When a physician or midwife is not immediately available, initiates pre-planned emergency nursing interventions to ensure maternal and neonatal safety, including preparation of the operating room, serving as circulating or scrub nurse, and performing newborn resuscitation and assessment. Maintains a professional, compassionate, and therapeutic environment. Administers prescribed therapeutic interventions including medications, intravenous fluids, blood products, and other treatments in accordance with established policies and standards of. Collaborates with physicians, certified nurse midwives, and interdisciplinary team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. Obtain and maintain certifications as required by hospital policy, such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ACLS), and Neo-Natal Resuscitation Program (NRP), Fetal Monitoring. Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary 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. IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift rotations may vary from 8, 10 and 12 hour shifts. 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: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the 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. Degree and License Waiting Period for Impending Graduates: The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration with 6 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified. Applicants who have not completed their education requirements (but who are within the established timeframe for qualifying) must submit: Documentation from the educational institution's registrar, dean or other appropriate official that attests to the applicable timeframe for completion of the professional program/coursework AND A copy of the most recent unofficial transcript. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Nurse Series 0610 Education: 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(external link), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs(external link), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education(external link), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools. Licensure: For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination(external link). In addition, they must possess 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. Experience: The work experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. At the GS-9 and above grade level, many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing. Basic Requirements for the GS-5 (or equivalent) Grade Level: Possession of a bachelor's degree in nursing with no experience; or Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and one full year of professional nursing experience. Basic Requirements for the GS-7 (or equivalent) Grade Level: Possession of a bachelor's degree in nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision; Possession of a bachelor's degree in nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level); Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program. Basic Requirements for the GS-9 (or equivalent) Grade Level: Possession of a master's degree in professional nursing; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in nursing from a professional nursing program. Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) Grade Level: Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program. 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-07: Provides professional obstetrical nursing care to patients under close supervision. Reviews medical records, administers medications as prescribed, and assists physicians and midwives with procedures. Develops or participates in the development of nursing care plans to meet the needs of assigned patients in accordance with established obstetrical nursing standards, policies, and procedures. Monitoring maternal and fetal status and reporting deviations from expected findings. GS-09: Provides professional obstetrical nursing care utilizing established principles, practices, and procedures to assess and address patient needs Develops individualized nursing care plans for patients during labor and delivery through postpartum care and discharge. Interprets the progress of labor, monitors fetal status, recognizes deviations from normal, and promptly initiates appropriate nursing interventions. Identifies adverse signs and symptoms and responds effectively in emergency situations, including implementation of life-saving measures. Applies knowledge of pharmaceuticals, including indications, desired effects, side effects, and potential complications. GS-11: Independently provides comprehensive nursing care in the obstetrical department, including triage and intervention in acute and life-threatening situations. Interprets clinical data to assess patient status and determine appropriate nursing interventions. Exercising advanced clinical judgment to independently assess, prioritize, and manage patient care in unpredictable and life-threatening situations. Independently plans, schedules, and delivers comprehensive nursing care, Coordinating and overseeing patient care across shifts and disciplines to ensure continuity and quality of care and serving as a clinical resource within the OB department. Leading or significantly contributing to department-level initiatives such as policy development, quality improvement, staff education, or implementation of evidence-based practices. Acts or leads in a charge nurse capacity to manage the flow of the unit. Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: Nurse Series 0610 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 Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). 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. This position may be covered by a Bargaining Unit. Government housing may be available, depending on location and availability. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required. 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/ For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps This position has promotion potential to the GS-11 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. You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).
