Registered Nurse

Summary

At the Indian Health Service (IHS), Registered Nurses (RNs) play a crucial role in changing lives and improving the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people. This position offers the opportunity to deliver compassionate care where it's needed most, bringing healing and hope across generations. Eligible candidates may receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus.

Duties

The Operating Room Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered care to individuals undergoing surgical and procedural interventions. The RN demonstrates clinical expertise, sound judgment, and leadership before, during, and after surgical procedures across multiple specialties. This position is approved for standby duty and works on a regularly assigned rotational or standby schedule, providing comprehensive care to pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Major Duties Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Assessing patient condition based on observation, physical examination, interview, physician diagnosis, laboratory data, and age-specific needs.
• Formulating, implementing, and documenting individualized plans of care based on assessment findings and patient condition.
• Responding to life-threatening situations and initiating emergency resuscitation measures in accordance with adult and pediatric resuscitation protocols.
• Providing pre- and post-operative education, emotional support, and guidance to patients and families regarding procedures, recovery expectations, and self-care.
• Performing pre-, intra-, and post-operative assessments in PACU, Same-Day Surgery, and Pre-Admission units, ensuring safe patient transitions and timely documentation.
• Administering medications under protocol and monitoring patient hemodynamics, airway, tissue perfusion, and surgical sites for bleeding or complications.
• Supervising the delivery of nursing care by other professional and non-professional staff, providing guidance, evaluation, and feedback as needed.
• Collaborating with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the interdisciplinary team to plan, coordinate, and evaluate patient care to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Maintaining required certifications (e.g., ACLS, BLS, PALS) and demonstrating competency in advanced perioperative and procedural nursing skills.
• Performing on-call duties as required to provide patient care during off-tour hours for emergency surgical and procedural cases.
• Functioning as the primary scrub technician and being responsible for handling instruments, supplies, and equipment during all surgical procedures.
• Ensuring correct sponge and instrument counts.
• Functioning as the second circulator for complex surgical procedures.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment:

• Probationary period may be required.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Direct deposit is required for payment.
• This is a designated position requiring contact or control over Indian children, necessitating a background check for relevant criminal history.
• IHS healthcare facility staff may be subject to Employee Health Policies (e.g., immunizations for Measles, Rubella, influenza), with potential for vaccine exemption requests.
• Medical staff clinical privileges and licensure requirements must be obtained and maintained. Failure to do so may result in adverse actions.
• Successful completion of the E-Verify employment verification check is mandatory.
• Position subject to rotating shifts (days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays) and may require on-call hours or standby duty.

Background Investigation

A federal background investigation is required to verify identity, employment history, education, and suitability for Federal service. Applicants must complete required forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.

Qualifications

To qualify, your resume must demonstrate sufficient experience and/or education for the duties of the position. Credit is given for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part-time work. Clearly identify duties, responsibilities, and hours per week for each position held.

Degree and License Waiting Period for Impending Graduates: Applicants expected to complete required education and obtain licensure/certification within 6 months of applying may be deemed tentatively qualified. Documentation from the educational institution and a copy of the most recent unofficial transcript are required.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

• Education: Graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program.
• Foreign Education: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is required for foreign graduates.
• Licensure: Must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse.

Experience:

• GS-5: Bachelor's degree in Nursing with no experience; OR diploma/associate degree in professional nursing and one year of professional nursing experience.
• GS-7: Bachelor's degree in Nursing and eligibility under Superior Academic Achievement; OR Bachelor's degree in Nursing and at least one year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS-5); OR diploma/associate degree in professional nursing and two years of professional nursing experience; OR at least one year of graduate education in a professional nursing program.
• GS-9: Master's degree in professional nursing; OR at least one year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS-7 or above) and a diploma, associate, or bachelor's degree in Nursing.
• GS-11: PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a professional nursing or related medical science field; OR at least one year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS-9) and a relevant degree in nursing.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-07 for GS-09, GS-09 for GS-11) in the Federal service, performing duties such as:
• Specialized Experience GS-07: Advanced trainee capacity, BLS/ACLS certified, patient assessment and care, medication administration, patient monitoring, preparing patients for procedures, record review.
• Specialized Experience GS-09: Pre- and post-operative patient care without supervision, BLS/ACLS certified, patient education, circulating/scrub nurse role, preparing OR, instrument passing, vital sign monitoring, post-operative evaluation, adherence to safety standards.
• Specialized Experience GS-11: Developing infection control policies and procedures, knowledge of professional nursing principles for infection control, understanding of accreditation policies (The Joint Commission, CMS, CDC, OSHA), data analysis, research methodology, conducting infection prevention training, charge nurse duties, coordinating patient care.

See Nurse Series 0610 occupational requirements. All qualification requirements must be met within 30 days of the closing date.

Education

This position has an education requirement. Transcripts or a list of courses with titles, credit hours, and grades are strongly encouraged. Unofficial transcripts are accepted for application; official transcripts will be required before an offer. Only degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be credited. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Additional Information

Financial Suitability Requirement: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and maintain good standing with creditors. Substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations may lead to unsuitability.

Federal Employees Earn Annual Leave: Rates are based on years of service. Credit for previous non-federal or military experience may be granted.

Bargaining Unit: This position may be covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: May be authorized, requiring at least a 6-month service agreement.

Student Loan Repayment Programs: IHS, NHSC, and HRSA offer competitive Student Loan Repayment Programs for qualifying health disciplines. Visit their respective websites for more information.

Promotion Potential: This position has promotion potential to the GS-11 grade level. Promotion is at management's discretion and based on demonstrated ability, continuing need, and regulatory approval.

Candidates are evaluated based on the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

Optional essay responses (200 words or less each) related to commitment to the Constitution, improving government efficiency, advancing executive orders/policy priorities, and work ethic may be reviewed by hiring managers.

Key skills/competency

• Registered Nurse
• Operating Room Nursing
• Perioperative Care
• Patient Assessment
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Emergency Resuscitation
• Surgical Procedures
• Infection Control
• Team Collaboration
• Leadership