Nurse (All Specialties)

Indian Health Service; Zuni Pueblo (NM); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The Indian Health Service in the United States is seeking registered nurses who will deliver expert care across Emergency Department, Obstetrics, Operating Room, and Med-Surg units. Nurses work with physicians and the care team to assess, plan, and implement patient care, guided by evidence-based practices and the IHS mission.

This role requires U.S. citizenship, an active nursing license, and ability to work rotating shifts.

Qualifications

• Graduate or higher-level nursing degree from an accredited program.
• Active RN license in a U.S. territory/state.
• Experience in specialty nursing may be required for higher GS levels.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate skilled patient care.
• Supervise nursing staff and provide guidance/evaluation.
• Collaborate with physicians and other providers to develop care plans.
• Respond to rapidly changing patient conditions with critical thinking.

Skills

Assessing & planning care

Supervising staff

Collaboration with physicians

Critical thinking

Education

Nursing degree (RN)

Job description

Overview

Summary: 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. Beginning your journey with purpose, you may receive a recruitment/relocation sign‑on bonus if eligible. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Total Compensation Package: Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov).

Duties

Emergency Department

• Assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating the delivery of skilled patient care in accordance with nursing standards and evidence‑based practice.
• Supervising the delivery of nursing care by other professional and non‑professional staff, providing guidance, evaluation, and feedback as needed.
• Collaborating with physicians, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers to develop and implement coordinated care plans.
• Utilizing critical thinking skills to make complex clinical decisions and respond effectively to rapidly changing patient conditions.

Obstetrics

• When a physician or midwife is not immediately available, initiates pre‑planned emergency nursing interventions to ensure maternal and neonatal safety, including preparation of the operating room, serving as circulating or scrub nurse, and performing newborn resuscitation and assessment. Maintains a professional, compassionate, and therapeutic environment.
• Administers prescribed therapeutic interventions including medications, intravenous fluids, blood products, and other treatments in accordance with established policies and standards. Collaborates with physicians, certified nurse midwives, and interdisciplinary team members to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized patient care plans across the continuum of care including antepartum, intrapartum, postpartum, obstetrical triage, and newborn nursery services.
• Obtains and maintains certifications such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ACLS), Neo‑Natal Resuscitation Program (NRP), and Fetal Monitoring.

Operating Room

• Formulates, implements, and documents individualized plans of care based on assessment findings and patient condition.
• Responds to life‑threatening situations and initiates emergency resuscitation measures in accordance with adult and pediatric resuscitation protocols.
• Maintains required certifications (ACLS, BLS, PALS) and demonstrates competency in advanced perioperative and procedural nursing skills.
• Supervises the delivery of nursing care by other professional and non‑professional staff, providing guidance, evaluation, and feedback as needed.
• Collaborates with surgeons, anesthesia providers, and the interdisciplinary team to plan, coordinate, and evaluate patient care to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Performs on‑call duties as required to provide patient care during off‑tour hours for emergency surgical and procedural cases.
• Works with other staff to ensure sponge and instrument counts are correct.
• Functions as the second circulator for complex surgical procedures.

Med‑Surg/Inpatient

• Promotes evidence‑based nursing practice through coordinating care focused on patient education, self‑management, and overall satisfaction throughout the continuum of inpatient care.
• Performs comprehensive assessments, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care based on clinical findings and the nursing process.
• Administers medications and performs procedures in accordance with established policies and clinical standards.
• Recognizes changes in patient condition, identifies urgent or emergent situations, and initiates appropriate interventions to ensure patient safety.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards and maintains knowledge of current clinical and operational guidelines.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Successful completion of an E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Subject to a probationary period.
• On‑call hours or standby duty may be required.
• Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift rotations may vary from 8‑, 10‑, and 12‑hour shifts.
• Direct deposit setup required for payment.

Background Investigation Requirement

The position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. Applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Graduate or higher‑level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program.
• Pass the National Council Licensure Examination and possess a current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from an accredited state, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or U.S. territory.
• For GS‑9 and above, many positions require experience in a specialty area of nursing.

Basic Requirements for 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 level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in nursing from a professional nursing program.

Basic Requirements for 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 level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a professional nursing program.

Minimum Qualifications

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Specialized experience should include duties such as those listed for ER, OB, OR, and Med‑Surg at the applicable GS level. For example, responsibilities may include:

• Emergency nursing care with rapid assessment and intervention.
• Obstetrical nursing care during labor and delivery, including neonatal resuscitation.
• Operating room nursing roles such as circulating or scrub nurse and perioperative care.
• Comprehensive inpatient nursing care with evidence‑based practice and patient education.

Education Guidance

Applicants who are pending graduation may submit educational documentation and a copy of the most recent unofficial transcript. Degree from a foreign nursing school requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript. Official transcripts are required prior to an official offer.

Additional Information

• Financial suitability review of applicant’s financial history is required.
• Promotion potential to GS‑11 grade level is available; promotion is at management discretion and is not guaranteed.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized; a minimum 6‑month service agreement is required.
• Student Loan Repayment Programs are available through IHS, NHSC, and HRSA. For details visit:
  • IHS: http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
  • NHSC: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
  • HRSA Nurse Corps: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps
• Assessment includes short essay responses (200 words or less) on four questions. Responses are optional but may be reviewed by hiring managers. Applicants must certify responses are written in their own words.

EEO Statement

Indian Health Service is an equal opportunity employer. This position is designated under Public Law 101‑630 and requires that applicants have not been found guilty of specified crimes.