Lead Nurse

At the Indian Health Service, Nurses do more than provide care, they strengthen communities. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you will deliver compassionate, high quality care and help build strong, culturally responsive health programs where patients and families thrive.

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

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:
Registered Nurse Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov)

• Provide direct patient care in an ambulatory setting, including assessment, triage, treatment, and follow-up, using the nursing process and evidence-based practice to ensure safe, high-quality outcomes; may also assist the Supervisory Nurses for Outpatient and Emergency Room
• Oversee daily nursing operations, maintain efficient patient flow, and implement process improvements to enhance safety, confidentiality, and clinic efficiency.
• Assign and delegate work to nursing and clinical support staff based on skill level, while supporting professional development and performance.
• Collaborate with providers, interdisciplinary teams, and community partners to coordinate comprehensive, culturally responsive care and integrate services across disciplines.
• Lead infection prevention, employee health, safety, and regulatory compliance efforts, including participation in accreditation activities and organizational committees.
• Support workforce management functions such as staff scheduling, recruitment, and retention, while ensuring staff competency across the lifespan and ability to assess and respond to patient needs.

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):

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.

Basic Requirements for the GS-11 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 a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.

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:
Extensive experiences in nursing practice, and patient care; make independent judgments related to assignments, staffing coverage and leading staff; provide training and mentorship for nursing staff; possess clinical skills in assessing and managing complex patient cases, coordinating interdisciplinary care, and ensuring high standards of quality and regulatory compliance.

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

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/.

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

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Direct Hire Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

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.

IHS Selectees that will work in an IHS health care facility may be subject to Employee Health Policies related to Measles and Rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain 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.

Background Investigation:
This position requires successful completion of a federal background investigation, it is standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing, or a determination of unsuitability and forms should be returned within five (5) calendar days of issuance. It is strongly encouraged to prioritize requirements and to maintain regular communication with the assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability:
This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If the document is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.