Nurse (Outpatient)

Full Job Description

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'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): Education A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required.

This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education(external link), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs(external link), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education(external link), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Licensure For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination(external link).

In addition, they must possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Experience The work experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

At the GS-9 and above grade level, many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing.

Basic Requirements for the GS-5 Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing with no experience; or Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and one full year of professional nursing experience.

Basic Requirements for the GS-7 Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision; Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level); Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program.

Basic Requirements for the GS-9 Possession of a master's degree in professional nursing; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program.

Basic Requirements for the GS-11 Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field; or At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Specialized experience GS-07 Performing outpatient nursing duties including triage, patient assessment, and implementing provider/clinic standing orders while selecting the appropriate guideline(s) to match changing patient conditions.

Administering medications/treatments and observing, recognizing, and documenting patient responses and condition changes in the EHR.

Coordinating patient care activities with the care team and communicating patient status/needs to providers and other staff; counseling/teaching patients within established protocols.

Using common outpatient clinic equipment (e.g., EKG, POC equipment, emergency equipment) in support of patient care.

Specialized experience GS-09 Implementing standardized disease management and prevention guidelines; conducting comprehensive assessments (including pre-visit planning) and prioritizing clinical information based on patient condition/preferences and anticipated needs.

Developing plans of care with the care team per clinical practice guidelines; monitoring patients (including disease-specific home monitoring when used) and communicating clinical changes between patient and provider/care team.

Coordinating referrals/consults and outside services; providing patient/family counseling and education on preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures; and ensuring accurate, complete electronic health record documentation.

Administering medications/treatments, recognizing adverse signs/symptoms, initiating appropriate interventions (including emergency response as needed), and evaluating outcomes to modify the care plan.

Participating in designing/improving clinical care delivery systems through data collection/evaluation; supporting performance improvement (PDSA), infection prevention/control activities, and LEAN/process improvement efforts.

Providing guidance/training/mentoring to clinical and non-clinical staff and supporting orientation and clinical flow coordination within the care team.

Specialized experience GS-11 Managing and coordinating complex patient care across an ambulatory team (advanced triage/assessment, care planning, coordination of referrals and transitions), ensuring evidence-based guideline adherence and high-quality documentation.

Leading or serving in a charge nurse/team lead capacity (e.g., directing clinical flow/resources, coaching staff, orienting/precepting, ensuring standards of practice).

Producing and/or analyzing clinic data/quality measures and leading performance improvement activities (e.g., PDSA/LEAN/IPC initiatives), including identifying gaps, implementing corrective actions, and monitoring outcomes.

Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: Nurse Series 0610 You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Major Duties:

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

The purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive care to pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients within the Indian Health Service: The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered nursing care to individuals and families in an ambulatory care setting.

The RN demonstrates professional competence, leadership, and sound clinical judgment while delivering high-quality care to patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.

The nurse provides oversight and direction to licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants, as appropriate to the clinic setting, and actively contributes to care coordination, health promotion, education, and quality improvement initiatives.