Practical Nurse

Summary
Position is located at the Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte, SD. This position will provide direct patient care with a variety of medical, surgical, pediatric and women's health needs.

• Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses.
• Housing: There may be Government housing available, depending on availability.
• This announcement is open until the vacancy is filled. See "Additional Information Section" for more details.

This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Individuals with disabilities
• Native Americans
  Native Americans or Alaskan Natives with a tribal affiliation.
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista
• Special authorities
  Individuals eligible under a special authority not listed above, but defined in the federal hiring regulations.
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Veterans

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

• Provides direct care patients of all ages with diverse nursing and medical diagnoses and health care/maintenance needs. Activities include, but are not limited to: dressing changes, insertion of urinary catheters, administering medications including immunizations and nebulizer treatments.
• Collects data on the health status of patients using established assessment skills to identify immediate health care/maintenance and nursing needs. Activities include, but are not limited to: vital signs, vision acuity testing, pain medication, immunization status, health maintenance needs, and health risk assessments.
• Provides instruction to patients on basic procedures, use of equipment, collection of lab specimens, etc., and in accordance with educational plans.
• Documents observations, measurements, nursing interventions and outcomes for assigned patients in the medical record using approved forms and formats.

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.
• 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.
• Position is subject to rotating/weekend/day/night/evening/holiday shifts.
• On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
• 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):
OPM LINK: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/practical-nurse-series-0620/
Licensure Requirement:
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.
Requirements for GS-4 and Above: 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 the GS-04 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least 6 months of nursing experience, examples include: administering medication both orally and by intra-muscular injections; reports and records vital signs; prepares patient for special laboratory tests; sets up and manages specialized equipment.
OR
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.
For the GS-05 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Examples include: recognizing need for and institute emergency measures when indicated; performs catheterizations, changes surgical dressing, performs suctioning; administers vitamins, antibiotics, and corticosteroids; calculates and adjusts infusion rates using standard formulas or electronic controlling devices.
For the GS-06 level: Your resume must demonstrate at least 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Examples include: administering oral medications, performs subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; maintains immunization inventory including ordering, logging, and reporting; assists with escorting/transporting patients to various services areas in the health center; instructs patient's role in various procedures and assists with chaperoned examinations; reinforces patient teaching given by the professional nurse and medical staff.
Time In Grade (Merit Promotion Candidates Only)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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Re-Advertisement This position is being re-advertised to solicit additional applications. Those who already applied for this position do not need to Re-Apply unless you would like to update your application and/or supporting documents; your applications will be re-considered.
This announcement is Open Until Filled and will remain open until a sufficient applicant pool is obtained. Applications will be reviewed starting 04/05/2024 and every 15 business days thereafter until filled. Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for 8 months and may be used at any time during this period. After 8 months, you must reapply to this 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.
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 is covered by a Bargaining Unit.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a one year service agreement will be required.
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.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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/12165748. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 09/30/2024, to be considered.

• Benefits
  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the sp...