Job Information
Indian Health Service Practical Nurse - DHA in United States
Summary The primary purpose of this position is to assist with case management and clinical coordination for patients. The incumbent will interact and collaborate with members of the multidisciplinary health care team on an ongoing basis to participate in the clinical decision making process. Serves as a resource for other division personnel within the Service Unit. This position is located at Chinle Service Unit, Nursing Services, Chinle, Pinon and Tsaile Arizona. Responsibilities Work in coordination with the Case Manager and Clinical coordinator. Make appointments for the Specialty Clinic patients to ensure continuity of care. Develop and maintain disease specific registries of patients with chronic disease. Contact non-compliant patient via phone, mail and Public Health Nursing referrals. Obtain results of labs, test, scans, discharge summaries and medical records from outside facilities. Performs comprehensive professional nursing duties for the care of patients with variety of injuries and illnesses in various outpatient departments for patients in all age groups and their families who present an unlimited range of health related problems. Assist with Internal Medicine and family practice departmental quality improvements activities related to outpatient adult services and quality care. Perform practical nursing at the entry level. Obtain information and educational handouts for patients with targeted illnesses. Assess patient for condition by reviewing health records and or history to determine the required test, exams and treatments. Administers prescribed oral medication, hypodermic injections and intravenous medication. Maintains health records by documenting observation, nursing interventions and therapeutic measures administered. Coordinates health care needs through referrals to other specialty clinics and community resources Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. 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. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. 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. The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain practical nursing licensure requirements. If license requirements are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service. Works on a regularly assigned or rotational basis to provide continuity of services during evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. 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/. Government housing based upon availability 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): Licensure: Candidates must currently be 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. Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of the license, a notarized statement attesting to the fact, or a citation of the license number and State issuing it. Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required licensee during the probationary period. Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for license and the jurisdiction involved. No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained. Additional Requirements: 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 illness of patients. Providing reassurance and encouragement to 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. In addition to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-05: One(1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-04 is required. Examples include: 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. GS-06: One(1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level GS-05 is required. Examples include: assisting with escorting/transporting patient's to various services areas in the health center; instructing patient's role in various procedures and assists with chaperoned examinations; reinforcing patient teaching given by the professional nurse and medical staff; administering oral medications, performing subcutaneous and intramuscular injections; maintaining immunization inventory including ordering, logging, and reporting. You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education Education is not a requirement, however 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/edlitevisitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information 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 (1) year 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-07 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.