Job Information
Indian Health Service Nurse (Operating Room) in Browning, Montana
Summary A housing subsidy of up to $677 per pay period without dependents or $804 per pay period with dependents may be available. This position is located at the Blackfeet Service Unit in Browning, MT. The purpose of this position is to provide specialized nursing care in the operating room. The incumbent reports to the Director of Nursing or desginee. Responsibilities Organizes, coordinates, evaluated and actively participates in surgical services and central sterile supply for the Department of Nursing. Ensures a safe, sterile and therapeutic environment for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-surgical nursing and medical intervention for obstetrical, gynecological, ENT, orthopedic, dental, podiatric, urology, general surgeries. Manages and ensures appropriate distribution, collection of daily supplies. Monitors usage of surgical and CSR equipment and ensures a preventive maintenance program is in place that meets appropriate standards. Troubleshoots and maintains equipment daily. Performs yearly inventory of equipment. Evaluates nursing supplies to determine quantity and quality and makes adjustments for maximum efficiency. Researches and orders specialty (direct issue) supplies and equipment for Inpatient Nursing and OR areas.Collects data and conducts studies as part of a quality assurance program that meets criteria of JCAHO, IHS and AORN. Includes chart reviews and medical surgical case review. Provides "on call" surgical coverage for emergency procedures that occur after regular duty hours assuring coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 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. 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 DIRECT HIRE AUTHORITY JOB OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT: These positions are eligible to be filled through Office of Personnel Management's delegated Direct Hire Authority [DHA]. The Direct Hire Authority has been authorized by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and Part 337, Subpart B, Title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations [5 CFR]. If filled utilizing DHA, the following is applicable: all applicants who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the Selecting Official for consideration. The "rule of three," Veteran's preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants do not apply to the Direct Hire process. Indian Preference does apply. 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 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, 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 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 the GS-07 grade level Perform in an advanced trainee capacity to higher level OR nurses; Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS); Observes patient's conditions, Assesses nursing needs, and provides required nursing care; Administer as prescribed oral medications, hypodermic injections and intravenous feeding; Observe and record temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration data and effects of medication; Prepare patients for tests, examinations and treatment; Prepare and review records, laboratory sheets, Etc. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level Provide care for patients before, during and after surgery or surgical procedures without close supervision; Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS); Perform the role of patient educator, or circulating nurse and/or scrub nurse; Assess patients prior to surgery and alleviate their concerns; Gather all supplies as needed for the operation; Assess patient prior to surgery; Keep operating room sterilized; Position and prepare patient on operation table; Pass medical instruments to surgeon during operation; Monitor patients vital signs to detect anomalies; Evaluate patient in postoperative phases; Adhere to safety standards and precautions. Examples of specialized experience at the GS-10 grade level Independently perform professional nursing duties in the care of surgical patients following extensive and complex surgery or other patients whose critical conditions warrant intensive care; Certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS); Observes and assesses patient's clinical condition; recognizes, identify and interpret serious situations and immediately decides proper action, for example, call physician or take preplanned emergency measures; Recognize emergencysituations when a physician is not present or immediately available, initiates appropriate measures, for example, takes resuscitative measures in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest; Use specialized equipment such as monitoring ventilator devices, hypothermic units; Record information on patients chart and maintain accurate records of intake and output; Administers prescribed medication; Act as a preceptor and provide instruction and direction to lower level trainee nurses. 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 http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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.