Nurse (Outpatient)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Relocation bonus

Job summary

Indian Health Service (IHS) seeks an Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in an ambulatory setting. The RN will supervise LVNs and nursing assistants as appropriate, and actively contribute to care coordination and quality improvement efforts.

The role emphasizes professional judgment, evidence-based practice, and leadership in a clinic environment to serve American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required for some GS levels.
• Active RN license in the US is required.
• Must obtain and maintain licensure throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide outpatient nursing care in an ambulatory setting.
• Supervise licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants as needed.
• Contribute to care coordination, education, and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Outpatient nursing

Triage

Care coordination

Patient education

Clinical assessment

Education

BSN or higher

State licensure

Tools

EHR system

Job description

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 will deliver compassionate care where it is needed most. Your expertise brings healing and hope across generations. Begin your journey with purpose— and receive a recruitment/relocation sign‑on bonus, if you are eligible.

Employment Conditions

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

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 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.

IHS Selectees that work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to National and/or Service Unit guidance.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain any licensure requirements.

On‑call hours or standby duty may be required.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.

Position subject to rotating shifts; days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Shift rotations may vary from 8-, 10- and 12-hour shifts.

You will need to set up direct deposit.

This 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 to avoid delays in processing.

Responsibilities

The Outpatient Staff Registered Nurse (RN) provides comprehensive, evidence-based, and patient-centered nursing care to individuals and families in an ambulatory care setting. The RN demonstrates professional competence, leadership, and sound clinical judgement while delivering high-quality care to patients with a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. The nurse provides oversight and direction to licensed vocational nurses and nursing assistants, as appropriate to the clinic setting, and actively contributes to care coordination, health promotion, education, and quality improvement initiatives.

Total Compensation Package

Check out IHS’s outstanding total compensation package for this job: Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov). All grade levels may not be available at all locations.

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.

• Basic Requirements for the GS-5 – Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing with no experience; or possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and one full year of professional nursing experience.
• Basic Requirements for the GS-7 – Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision; possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-5 grade level); possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program.
• Basic Requirements for the 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 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in Nursing 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 in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks.

• Specialized Experience GS-07 – Performing outpatient nursing duties including triage, patient assessment, implementing provider/clinic standing orders while selecting the appropriate guidelines to match changing patient conditions; administering medications/treatments and observing, recognizing, and documenting patient responses and condition changes in the electronic health record; coordinating patient care activities with the care team and communicating patient status/needs to providers and other staff; counseling/teaching patients within established protocols.
• Specialized Experience GS-09 – Implementing standardized disease management and prevention guidelines; conducting comprehensive assessments and prioritizing clinical information based on patient condition/preferences and anticipated needs; developing plans of care with the care team per clinical practice guidelines; monitoring patients and communicating clinical changes between patient and provider/care team; coordinating referrals/consults and outside services; providing patient/family counseling and education on preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures; ensuring accurate, complete electronic health record documentation; administering medications/treatments, recognizing adverse signs/symptoms, initiating appropriate interventions, and evaluating outcomes to modify the care plan; providing guidance/training/mentoring to clinical and non‑clinical staff and supporting orientation and clinical flow coordination within the care team.

Education & Licensure

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: All grade levels and positions require that applicants have passed the National Council Licensure Examination. Applicants 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.

Work experience must have equipped the applicant with knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing.

Additional Information

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 and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations—including delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-order fines or fees, or child support arrears—may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 6-month service agreement will be required. This position may be covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Application Process

As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to questions regarding commitment to the U.S. Constitution, improving efficiency, supporting policy priorities, and work ethic. These responses are optional but may be reviewed by hiring managers during evaluation. Applicants must certify that responses are written in their own words and that they did not use a consultant or AI tool.