Practical Nurse

US Indian Health Service; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

US Indian Health Service at the Haskell Indian Health Center in Lawrence, KS, seeks a licensed practical nurse with experience in ambulatory care to provide comprehensive nursing services to patients and support the Supervisory Nurse.

Candidates must meet licensure requirements and demonstrate the ability to perform a range of nursing duties in a clinical setting. The position emphasizes patient care, safety, and collaboration with the health team.

Qualifications

• Basic nursing licensure in the United States or District of Columbia.
• Experience in ambulatory or clinical nursing setting preferred.
• Ability to perform nursing duties across patient care tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive nursing services for ambulatory patients.
• Assist with pre- and post-procedure care and patient monitoring.
• Maintain sterile technique and infection control throughout procedures.
• Collaborate with Supervisory Nurse and care team to coordinate patient care.

Job description

This position provides comprehensive nursing services for ambulatory patients within the Haskell Indian Health Center, located in Lawrence, KS. Incumbent will report to the Supervisory Nurse.

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.

INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements

Licensure

Candidates must be currently licensed to practice as practical or vocational nurses in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or must have applied for a license to practice. Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of the license, a notarized statement attesting to the fact, or a citation of the license number and State issuing it. Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required license during the probationary period. Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved. No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained.

(Applicants who meet the licensure requirement are considered fully qualified for GS-3.)

Additional Requirements for Grades GS-4 and Above

Experience

Qualifying experience includes nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as:

• Providing pre- and post-operative patient care.
• Observing, recording, and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients.
• Providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients.
• Assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients.
• Setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below-

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Your resume must demonstrate the required 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:

GS-4: Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of nursing experience. Examples include: Assist with basic nursing care tasks such as bathing, feeding, dressing, or transporting patients, measure and record vital signs and report changes in condition, assist with simple diagnostic or treatment procedures while maintaining sterile technique, and following infection control and safety policies.

OR Successful completion of a program in practical nursing of a least 9 months' duration combined with 1 year of nursing assistant experience;

OR Successful completion of a 2-year degree program in an accredited community college, junior college, or college or university in practical nursing.

GS-5: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing basic nursing care under supervision in a hospital, clinic, or long-term care setting. Examples include: Observe, record, and report changes in patients' behavior or physical condition, carry out nursing procedures in accordance with established guidelines and care plans, take vital signs, collect specimens, and maintain accurate documentation, set up and maintain medical equipment for procedures., assist physicians and Registered Nurses during examinations and treatments, and provide instructions to patients and families regarding care and follow-up activities.

GS-6: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing a moderately difficult range of nursing care duties in a hospital, clinic, or similar setting. Examples include: Perform a range of treatment procedures such as insert catheters, administer immunizations, change sterile dressings, and provide wound care, administer medications safely and monitoring for therapeutic or adverse effects, recognize urgent and emergent situations and initiate appropriate emergency interventions, provide patient and family education on health maintenance, medication use, and disease management, assist physicians and RNs with complex procedures and specialized diagnostic tests, and serve as a preceptor or resource to less experienced staff and participate in quality improvement and training activities.

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