Summary
Position is located at the Pine Ridge Service Unit in Pine Ridge South Dakota. Position provides direct care in assessing, planning implementing and evaluating care for patients in the Specialty Department. Primary responsible for preforming direct patient care duties to all ages of patients with diverse acute & chronic health problems. Preforms duties independently when providing patient care under general supervision of a Registered Nurse.
Duties
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
- Provides direct patient care for acute care patients of all ages with diverse medical and nursing diagnoses.
- Intervention includes but are not limited to: Dressing changes, ambulation, assists with activities of daily living, range of motion - limited physical therapy, administering medications as prescribed by the provider including PO, IM, and IV, respiratory treatment, etc.
- Preforms nursing reassessments independently to update initial patient care plan based on immediate patient needs and updates/revises plan of care based on changes in health status and reassessments with over-site of the Registered Nurse.
- Provides instruction to patients on disease process, procedures, plan of care, use of equipment, specimen's collection of health maintenance and document per educational plans and policies.
- Maintains complete nursing documentation, medical record confidentiality and safeguards medical information. Follows CMS, TJC requirements for nursing documentation, utilizes approved forms and participates in the overall monitoring and compliance with these standards.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
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.
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.
Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit .
Conditions of Employment: DAYS/NIGHTS/WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS
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):
Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic 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-4 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-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:
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-4: 6 months of experience that 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 as described in the vacancy announcement.
Specialized Experience GS-5: performing basic nursing care work such as observing, recording and reporting changes in behavior of patients; carrying out nursing procedures according to guidelines and a nursing plan of care; providing instructions to the patient and/or family of the patient; taking vital signs and measurements; setting up medical equipment for procedures; and assisting physicians and registered nurses with procedures. My work experience was in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility.
Specialized Experience GS-6: performing a moderately difficult range of nursing care work such as observing, recording and reporting changes in behavior of patients and taking action to alleviate problems; initiating a plan of action to carry out a nursing plan of care; providing educational instruction to patients and families of patients; performing a range of treatment procedures such as inserting catheters, sterile dressing changes, administering medications, giving immunizations; and assisting physicians and registered nurses with procedures. My work experience was in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility.
Time In Grade (Merit Promotion Candidates Only)
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).
ANNOUNCEMENT IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED - Applications will be reviewed starting on September 19, 2024 and every 10 business days thereafter until filled.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and Veterans' Preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see . Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and any other requirements.
Click here to view vacancy questions: . All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 09/04/2025, to be considered.
Required Documents
Resume: You are highly encouraged to use USAJOBS Resume Builder to ensure all required information is included in your Resume. If you use your own resume, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed, annual salary, and description of job duties. Include name and address of employer; supervisor name and telephone number.
Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements:
Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432. Refer to BIA-4432 link: . When an Indian Preference candidate possesses Veterans preference the rules regarding Veterans preference apply under ESEP and the applicant must provide documentation in order to receive preference.
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: .
Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application. You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.
You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 09/04/2025
Your resume and any documents submitted will be retained for eight months and may be used at any time during this period. After 8 months, you must reapply to this announcement in order to be considered.