Nurse (Public Health)

US Indian Health Service; Chemawa (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indian Health Service (IHS) seeks registered nurses to deliver compassionate care in service to American Indian and Alaska Native communities across the United States. Your role supports generations of patients with clinical nursing duties, immunizations, and outreach.

Applicants should hold a current RN license, BSN or higher, and be prepared to use Cerner-based EHRs for documentation and care coordination. A Real ID requirement and relocation considerations may apply where eligible.

Qualifications

• RN license and active state licensure required.
• BSN or higher preferred; education must align with nursing accreditation.
• Experience in direct patient care and health education is valued.

Skills

RN License

Immunizations

Patient Care

Health Education

Communication

Education

BSN or higher

Active RN license

Tools

EHR (Cerner)

Nursing Documentation

Job description

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. Begin your journey with purpose - AND receive a recruitment/relocation sign-on bonus, if you are eligible.

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

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.

Degree and License Waiting Period for Impending Graduates:

The Hiring Manager/Selecting Official may elect to utilize an available flexibility wherein applicants who are currently enrolled and expected to complete the required education and obtain the required licensure/certification/registration with 9 month(s) of applying, may be deemed tentatively qualified. Applicants who have not completed their education requirements (but who are within the established timeframe for qualifying) must submit:

• Documentation from the educational institution's registrar, dean or other appropriate official that attests to the applicable timeframe for completion of the professional program/coursework
• AND
• A copy of the most recent unofficial transcript.

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

Degree from Foreign Nursing School:

Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Areas of specialties for positions include, but are not limited to, Acute Care, Anesthesia, Community Health, Family, Geriatric, Home Health, Midwifery, Neonatal, Oncology, Pediatric, Psychiatric, Allergy and Immunology, Women's Health, Cardiovascular, Dermatology, Occupational Health, Orthopedic, Respiratory, or other specialties identified for the position.

Licensure

For all grade levels and positions, applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination(external link). 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.

Experience

The work experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. At the GS-9 and above grade level, many positions may require experience in a specialty area of nursing.

Basic Requirements for the GS-7 (or equivalent) Grade Level

In addition to the above Basic Requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in Nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision;
• Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program;
• 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); Examples of experience Include: Provide direct nursing care and clinical interventions, including conducting health screenings, administering immunizations, performing nursing procedures, and reporting significant findings or changes in patient condition; Document nursing care and health information in electronic health records while following established nursing standards, clinical protocols, privacy requirements, and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; Examples of experience include: Provide information to individuals, families, and community groups regarding maternal and child health, immunizations, chronic disease management, and communicable disease prevention; Review patient records, track referrals, coordinate appointments, document outcomes, and supporting continuity of care for individuals and families.

Basic Requirements for the GS-9 (or equivalent) Grade Level

In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• 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. Examples of experience include: Provide professional community/public health nursing services to individuals and families, including performing home and school visits, administering immunizations and treatments, and evaluating patient responses; Conduct population health assessment, disease surveillance, and prevention activities, including collecting and validating epidemiological data, identifying health trends and risk factors, and assisting with communicable disease investigations, case interviews, contact identification, reporting, follow-up, and outbreak response; Provide health education, care coordination, and community-based interventions, including counseling individuals and families, conducting outreach and screenings, coordinating referrals and follow-up.

Basic Requirements for the GS-11 (or equivalent) Grade Level

In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• 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