Nurse; Med​/Surg

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 is needed most. A REAL‑ be required beginning May 7, 2025.

• Perform comprehensive assessments, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care based on clinical findings and the nursing process.
• Promote evidence-based nursing practice by coordinating patient education, self‑management, and overall satisfaction throughout the continuum of inpatient care.
• Administer medications and perform procedures in accordance with established policies and clinical standards.
• Recognize changes in patient condition, identify urgent or emergent situations, and initiate appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards and maintain knowledge of current clinical and operational guidelines.
• Participate in performance improvement, patient safety, and quality initiatives to enhance clinical effectiveness and efficiency.

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Will be subject to a trial or probationary period.
• Must obtain and maintain medical‑staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements.
• On‑call hours or standby duty may be required; the position may involve rotating shifts (days, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays).
• Must successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Must provide two valid forms of identification; one of which must be REAL‑.
• Must receive a successful federal background investigation as a condition of employment.
• Must meet all stated qualification requirements by the respective cut‑off dates.

Education and Licensure

• Graduate or higher‑level degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program.
• For foreign graduates, an official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required.
• Applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination and possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a U.S. state, D.C., Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.

Minimum Qualifications by Grade

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing with no experience, or 1 diploma/associate degree with one full year of professional nursing experience including routine patient assessments, medication administration, and care plan implementation.

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing with eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision, or 2 bachelor’s degree with at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS‑5) that includes independent assessments, medication administration, individualized care plans, patient education, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Diploma/associate degree with two full years of professional nursing experience, or 3 at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing program.

• Master’s degree in professional nursing, or 4 diploma/bachelor’s/associate degree with at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS‑7) that includes complex assessments, high‑risk medication management, leadership of care plans, mentoring of staff, and participation in quality improvement.

• Doctoral (Ph.D.) or equivalent from a professional nursing or related medical science program, or 5 diploma/bachelor’s/master’s with at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to GS‑9) that includes senior clinical leadership, preceptorship, unit‑level quality initiatives, policy development, and system‑level collaboration.

• Eligible federal employees earn annual leave at a rate of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period based on length of service.
• When applicable, federal employees are credited for prior related non‑federal experience or active‑duty military service.
• This position may be covered by a bargaining unit and may offer recruitment or relocation incentives.
• The Indian Health Service, National Health Service Corps, and Health Resources and Services Administration have student loan repayment programs for qualifying health disciplines.