Practical Nurse

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): 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. 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: 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: Minimum Qualification, GS-04: 6 months of nursing experience is required. Minimum Qualification, GS-05: Must have 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level that equipped with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. recognize need for and institute emergency measures when indicated; performs catheterizations, changes surgical dressing, performs suctioning; administers vitamins, antibiotics, and corticosteroids; calculate and adjust infusion rates using standard formulas or electronic controlling devices. Minimum Qualification, GS-06: Must have 1 year of nursing experience that equipped with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position. This experience is equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level and 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. Examples include: assisting with escorting/transporting patient’s to various services areas in the health center; instructing patient’s role in various procedures and assists with chaperoned examinations; reinforcing patient teaching given by the professional nurse and medical staff; administering oral medications, performing subcutaneous and Intramuscular injections; maintaining immunization inventory including ordering, logging, and reporting. Time In Grade 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). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
This position is located in Wagner, South Dakota an IHS facilities located in Great Plains Area Indian Health Service. The purpose of the position is to provide direct patient care to patients with a variety of medical, surgical, pediatric, womens health, and health maintenance needs. Performs duties under the general supervision and guidance of a registered nurse and assists other health care providers in providing care and maintaining a safe and quality care environment.