Lead Nurse

Indian Health Service; Davis (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service in Davis, California, seeks a Registered Nurse to lead and evaluate occupational health services within the hospital, ensuring compliance with OSHA, CDC, and accreditation standards.

The role emphasizes immunizations, TB screening, N95 fit testing, flu/COVID clinics, pre-employment medical clearances, and coordinated case management, with collaboration across departments to develop policies and programs.

Qualifications

• Experience in occupational health nursing or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily occupational health operations ensuring compliance with OSHA, CDC, and accreditation standards.
• Coordinate immunizations, TB screening, N95 fit testing, flu/COVID clinics, and pre-employment clearances.
• Manage work-related injury/illness cases, referrals, follow-up, workers' compensation and case management.
• Lead quality improvement and prevention initiatives using data monitoring and best practices.
• Collaborate with hospital departments and external partners to develop policies and training materials.

Skills

Occupational health

Regulatory compliance

Nursing care

Case management

Employee health records

Education

Nursing degree

Job description

Summary

The incumbent is responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of occupational health services in accordance with hospital policies, practices, procedures, and applicable regulations. The incumbent reports to the Director of Nursing.

Duties

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Oversee daily occupational health operations, ensuring compliance with OSHA, CDC, TJC, and other regulatory standards while maintaining employee health records, reports, and program documentation.
• Coordinate employee health services including immunizations, TB screening, N95 fit testing, flu/COVID clinics, color blindness testing, and pre-employment medical clearance reviews.
• Manage work-related injury and illness cases by coordinating evaluations, referrals, exposure follow-up, workers' compensation, disability cases, and case management services.
• Lead occupational health quality improvement and prevention initiatives through data monitoring, evidence-based practices, employee wellness programs, and workplace injury prevention strategies.
• Collaborate with hospital departments and external partners to develop policies, training, orientation materials, safety programs, and organizational employee health initiatives.

Requirements

Conditions of employment:

• Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
• ESEP appointees typically serve a two-year trial period
• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Direct Hire Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.
• 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.
• Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.
• On-call hours or standby duty may be required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
• You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

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)

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, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools 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. 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.

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-9 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.

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:Provide Occupational Health education to all hospital or clinical staff and manage employee health records. Collect data and prepare reports for Executive Staff, Quality Improvement, Governing Body and other Clinical Committees. Experience with the development policies and procedures for Occupational Health, Employee Health or similar nursing programs to ensure compliance with accreditation requirements through use of site survey, standards, case management and professional organizations.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional Information

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is ineligible for the Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1-year service agreement will be required.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), And The Health Resources And Services Administration (HRSA) Have Student Loan Repayment Programs For Qualifying Health Disciplines. This Is a Competitive Process Separate From The Hiring Process. Opportunities For LRP Are Based On Agency Hiring Priorities And Availability Of Funds. For Additional Information Please Visit

For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/

For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

This position has no promotion potential.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.

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