Licensed Practical Nurse

Full Job Description

At the Indian Health Service, License Practical Nurse 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's needed most.

Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose - AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus, if you are eligible.

USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements 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.

Degree and License Waiting Period for Impending Graduates: The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration with 6 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified.

Applicants who have not completed their education requirements (but who are within the established timeframe for qualifying) must submit: Documentation from the educational institution's registrar, dean or other appropriate official that attests to the applicable timeframe for completion of the professional program/coursework AND A copy of the most recent unofficial transcript.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: Practical Nurse Series 0620 Individual Occupational Requirements Licensure: 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.

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 license during the probationary period.

Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved.

No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained.

Applicants who meet the licensure requirement are considered fully qualified for GS-3.

Additional Requirements for Grades GS-5 and Above Experience: 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 GS-4: 6 months of nursing experience is required.

For GS-5 and above: 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level is required.

OR Education/Training: For GS-4: 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.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Specialized Experience GS-4: Assist with basic nursing care tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing, or transporting patients, measure and record vital signs and report changes in condition, assist with simple diagnostic or treatment procedures while maintaining sterile technique, and following infection control and safety policies.

Specialized Experience GS-5: Observe, record, and report changes in patients' behavior or physical condition, carry out nursing procedures in accordance with established guidelines and care plans, take vital signs, collect specimens, and maintain accurate documentation, set up and maintain medical equipment for procedures., assist physicians and Registered Nurses during examinations and treatments, and provide instructions to patients and families regarding care and follow-up activities.

Specialized Experience GS-6: observe, record, and report changes in patient condition and taking appropriate action within scope of practice, initiate and implement components of the nursing plan of care and evaluating effectiveness of interventions, perform a range of treatment procedures such as insert catheters, administer immunizations, change sterile dressings, and provide wound care, administer medications safely and monitoring for therapeutic or adverse effects, recognize urgent and emergent situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions, including basic life support, provide patient and family education on health maintenance, medication use, and disease management, assist physicians and RNs with complex procedures and specialized diagnostic tests, and serve as a preceptor or resource to less experienced staff and participate in quality improvement and training activities.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cut-off day of rating to be eligible for consideration. Major Duties:

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Practical Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations.

The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides direct, evidence-based nursing care to patients experiencing acute, sub-acute, or chronic health conditions in inpatient, outpatient, or home care settings.

As a vital member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, the LPN demonstrates clinical competence, sound judgment, and a commitment to patient-centered care.

Assignments may range from routine to complex, requiring independent performance of nursing functions within established policies and under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or physician.

Observing, recording, and reporting changes in patients' physical or emotional condition and contributing to the development and revision of the patient-driven, holistic plan of care.

Providing safe, comprehensive nursing care to patients across the life span in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures.

Preparing and administering prescribed medications (oral, topical, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous), monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects, and accurately documenting patient response.

Performing basic and intermediate nursing procedures and treatments such as sterile dressing changes, catheter care, bladder scanning, blood glucose monitoring, specimen collection, and wound care.

Recognizing and responding to urgent or emergent situations, initiating basic life support and other emergency measures while awaiting further assistance.

Assisting with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including preparing the patient, assembling supplies and instruments, maintaining aseptic/sterile technique, and monitoring the patient before, during, and after procedures.

Providing education and reinforcement of teaching to patients and families related to disease processes, treatment regimens, and self-care activities.

Utilizing electronic medical record systems to document care accurately and timely in accordance with facility documentation guidelines.

Practicing infection control and safety procedures, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to isolation precautions.

Participating in interdisciplinary team conferences, performance improvement initiatives, and discharge planning to support optimal patient outcomes.

Establishing therapeutic and respectful relationships with patients and families that foster trust, privacy, and dignity in care delivery.

Serving as a preceptor to orient and mentor less experienced LPNs, nursing assistants, or health technicians.

Actively seeking opportunities for continuing education and professional development to enhance clinical knowledge and competency.