Job Information
Indian Health Service Licensed Practical Nurse in Pine Ridge, South Dakota
Summary Position is located at the Pine Ridge Service Unit in Pine Ridge South Dakota. Position provides direct care in assessing, planning implementing and evaluating care for patients in the Outpatient Department. Primary responsible for preforming direct patient care duties to all ages of patients with diverse acute & chronic health problems. Preforms duties independently when providing patient care under general supervision of a Registered Nurse. Responsibilities Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) GS-0620, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Supervisory LPN (ihs.gov) Provides direct patient care for acute care patients of all ages with diverse medical and nursing diagnoses. Intervention includes but are not limited to: Dressing changes, ambulation, assists with activities of daily living, range of motion - limited physical therapy, administering medications as prescribed by the provider including PO, IM, and IV, respiratory treatment, etc. Preforms nursing reassessments independently to update initial patient care plan based on immediate patient needs and updates/revises plan of care based on changes in health status and reassessments with over-site of the Registered Nurse. Provides instruction to patients on disease process, procedures, plan of care, use of equipment, specimen's collection of health maintenance and document per educational plans and policies. Maintains complete nursing documentation, medical record confidentiality and safeguards medical information. Follows CMS, TJC requirements for nursing documentation, utilizes approved forms and participates in the overall monitoring and compliance with these standards. Requirements 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. Measles and Rubella immunization required for selectees born after 1957 and seasonal influenza immunization is required for all staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities. COVID-19 vaccination is required for all selectees prior to entrance on duty. 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/. Conditions of Employment: DAYS/NIGHTS/WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation: If you are selected for this vacancy, you must undergo a pre-employment fingerprint check and background investigation. Fingerprint results and background investigation documentation must be cleared prior to hire. After you begin your employment, your continued employment is contingent upon the outcome of a complete background investigation as determined by the sensitivity level of your position. The investigation must find that you are suitable for Federal employment in your position. If you are found not suitable, you will be terminated after you begin work. If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or subject to possible criminal charges. You may be subject to a credit check as a part of the background investigation process. 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 REQUIREMENT(S): Practical Nurse Series 0620 (opm.gov) 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. For GS-4: 6 months of nursing experience is required. For GS-5 and above: 1 year of nursing experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level is required. OR Education/Training For GS-4: 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. In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- 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-4: 6 months of experience that 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 as described in the vacancy announcement. Specialized Experience GS-5: performing basic nursing care work such as observing, recording and reporting changes in behavior of patients; carrying out nursing procedures according to guidelines and a nursing plan of care; providing instructions to the patient and/or family of the patient; taking vital signs and measurements; setting up medical equipment for procedures; and assisting physicians and registered nurses with procedures. My work experience was in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility. Specialized Experience GS-6: performing a moderately difficult range of nursing care work such as observing, recording and reporting changes in behavior of patients and taking action to alleviate problems; initiating a plan of action to carry out a nursing plan of care; providing educational instruction to patients and families of patients; performing a range of treatment procedures such as inserting catheters, sterile dressing changes, administering medications, giving immunizations; and assisting physicians and registered nurses with procedures. My work experience was in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility. Time In Grade (Merit Promotion Candidates Only) Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). 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 Physical Demands: Work requires rotating shifts and schedules; long periods of recurring standing, bending and walking, and lifting and moving of patients and equipment. Employee may be subject to physical and emotional stress such as those related to dealing with dying patients and their families and demanding or violent patients. Per IHS policy (SGM 21-04) IHS selectees to positions located in Federally operated hospitals, health centers, and clinics must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before entry on duty or have IHS approve a medical or religious exemption. If an exemption is approved then wearing a face mask and regular testing for COVID-19 will be required. Your Human Resources Specialist will provide a list of documents acceptable as vaccination proof and instructions on how to submit your vaccination documentation or how to request a medical or religious exemption, if needed. Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 240 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement. 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 6 month 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 This position has promotion potential to the GS-6 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.