Nurse (Infection Control)

Indian Health Service; Poplar (MT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indian Health Service at the Fort Peck Service Unit in Poplar, MT, is seeking a nurse to develop, implement, coordinate and direct the Infection Control Program as part of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement effort.

The incumbent will lead infection control activities, ensure competency in nursing staff, and manage employee health to protect staff and patients. A federal background check and licensure requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Graduate or higher degree in nursing from an accredited program.
• Current, active RN license in the United States.
• Experience in infection control or QA/PI is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit infection control reports to leadership and the Governing Body.
• Manage the nursing competency program and ensure nurses have appropriate competencies.
• Implement Employee Health program and orient employees to it; advise on disease outbreaks among staff.
• In staffing crises, perform nursing duties and maintain BLS certification.

Education

Nursing degree (BSN or higher)

RN license (US)

Job description

Summary

This position is located at the Fort Peck Service Unit in Poplar, MT. This is a component of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program. This position will be responsible for the development, implementation, coordination and direction of the Infection Control Program.

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

Summary

This position is located at the Fort Peck Service Unit in Poplar, MT. This is a component of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program. This position will be responsible for the development, implementation, coordination and direction of the Infection Control Program.

Duties

Help

• Prepare and submit infection control reports to leadership and the Governing Body.
• Manage the nursing competency program. Ensure that each nurse has appropriate competencies
• Implement Employee Health program and orients each employee to the program; Advise management on any disease outbreaks among employees.
• In a staffing crisis incumbent will be required to perform nursing duties. Required to have current BLS certification.

Total Compensation Package

Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

Requirements

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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.

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.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

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.

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 Requirements

General Schedule Qualification Standards - Nurse Series 0610

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. Must submit copy of transcript. Applications will be considered incomplete without proof.

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. Applications will be considered incomplete without proof.

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. Must submit copy of nursing license that includes an expiration date. Applications will be considered incomplete without proof.

Basic Requirements For The Gs-11 Grade Level

Applicants must meet one of the following to qualify at this grade level:

• Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field. OR;
• Possession of a diploma, associate's degree, bachelor's degree or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program and at least (1) one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) performing the following duties: Led and managed an infection prevention and employee health program, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and accreditation standards; Developed, implemented, and evaluated infection control policies, procedures, and risk assessments using evidence-based practices; Conducted surveillance, data analysis, and trend reporting to identify infection risks and implement corrective actions to prevent and control outbreaks.

Condition of Employment

Must obtain membership of the Association of Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Must obtain Certification in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) within two years of employment.

NOTE

Employees currently assigned to positions in this occupational series as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requirements for the position occupied.

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

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.

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests

If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-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 covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a one-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

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.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.