Summary Join our team of health care professionals committed to improving the quality of health care delivery while providing essential emergency room care against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains' snowcapped peaks and sweeping vistas of the Great Plains! This position serves as a Nurse (Emergency Room) located within a hospital or health center in the Billings Area Indian Health Service (IHS), Division of Nursing Services. Responsibilities Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Perform specialized, professional nursing duties in the case of critically ill, severely injured and/or traumatized emergency patients. Assess, triage and administer medications utilized in the emergency room. Observe patients for adverse medication reactions and responds appropriately or notifies physician(s). Interpret data obtained from observation, examination, monitoring and update patient's electronic health record. Operate and monitor specialized equipment such as cardiac monitors, volume respirators, EKG machines, gastric and thoracic suction, cardiac pace makers, hypothermia devices, defibrillators, etc A housing subsidy of up to $724 per pay period without dependents or $857 per pay period with dependents may be available. NOTE: This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) allows acceptance of applications throughout the year with eligible applicants being placed on the OCA register and referred for consideration when vacancies occur. Your application will expire in 8 months. You must reapply at least every 8 months to keep your application active for this vacancy. There MAY NOT be immediate vacancies at all locations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must pass pre-employment examination. 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. Adherence to the IHS Employee Immunization Policy, SGM 21-04, and the IHS Circular 2016-04 requiring Measles and Rubella, COVID-19, and seasonal influenza immunizations for staff working in Indian Health Service health care facilities OR an exemption request will need to be submitted. 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. On-call hours or standby duty may be required. 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: 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. 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. Note: Employees currently assigned to positions in the Nursing series, 0610 as of September 2017 will be considered to have met the basic requriements for the position occupied. 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, 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: 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. 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; 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 (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. Basic Requirements for the GS-10 (or equivalent) Grade Level: In addition to the above requirements, applicants must meet one of the following requirements: At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level) 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: Examples of specialized experience at GS-7: Receives guidance on nursing policies, regulations, techniques and procedures, and general functions of the unit. Works under close supervision and guidance in performing nursing duties to critically ill, severely injured, and/or traumatized patients. Under the supervision of a lead nurse, operates specialized equipment such as resuscitation units, cardiac monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, pulse oximeters, infusion pumps, warming devices, Intravenous and central lines, etc. Maintains equipment checklists per unit protocol. Screens and evaluates the physical and psychosocial needs of patients. Examples of specialized experience at GS-9: Implements nursing interventions in accordance with patient care standards. Determines the severity of illness or injury and initiates and provides rapid intervention in emergent, life-threatening conditions. Applies nursing theories, principles, and procedures to assigned patients (e.g., nursing diagnosis, problem-oriented care plans, use of emergency drugs, interpretation of EKG rhythms, and understanding lab data). Demonstrated ability to manage nursing care for multiple diverse emergency situations (e.g., stroke, heart attack, obstetrics, motor vehicle crash, gunshot wounds, etc). Examples of specialized experience at GS-10: Implements nursing interventions in accordance with patient care standards. Independently administers therapeutic and emergency measures as prescribed by the physician, such as medications, treatments and procedures, and intravenous fluids; adhering to current scientific knowledge including principles of safety and infection control. Independently operates specialized equipment such as resuscitation units, cardiac monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, pulse oximeters, infusion pumps, warming devices, and intravenous and central lines, etc. Maintains equipment checklists per unit protocol. Participates and contributes to hospital performance improvement activities and Facilitates Emergency Department Patient flow and efficiency to expedite medical evaluation and treatment. Assists with orientation of new employees. For ALL Grades: Certification (or ability to obtain certification) in BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, ENPC, TNCC. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Your resume must support your application responses. Time In Grade 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 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. 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-10 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.