Practical Nurse

About the Position

This Practical Nurse GS-0620-06 position is located at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, MD, in the Department of Medicine, Internal Medicine, PCMH.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

• Obtain patient's vital signs such as respiration, temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
• Review data from special equipment to track patients' heart rates, blood pressures, breathing, and other vitals.
• Provide basic bedside care (i.e., dressing wounds, changing bandages, inserting catheters, and giving injections).
• Enter data related to the record of patients in computer systems, i.e., electronic medical records.
• Interview patients and examine their medical history.
• Administer intravenous fluids and medications.
• Follow proper nursing standards and protocols for treatment.
• Assist with ordering diagnostic tests, as needed.
• Act as the patient advocate, in collaboration with fellow members of the medical care team.

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the incumbent be able to obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for a Tier 3 security investigation or access for the duration of employment. A background investigation and credit check are required.
• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position has mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons.
• A pre-placement medical examination is required.
• This position requires the incumbent to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate/relevant clinical privileges.
• 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.
• Moderate to heavy lifting up to 50 pounds 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.
• This position may require the incumbent to work during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules.
• This position may require rotating shifts (i.e. work schedule that requires employees to continuously rotate from one shift to another at predetermined intervals).
• 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.
• Position is designated as Mission Essential. The incumbent will be required to report to work during times of contingency operations, natural disasters, extreme weather or other emergency situations.