Summary Join the Indian Health Service health care team committed to improving the quality of health care delivery against the stunning backdrop of the Rocky Mountains' snowcapped peaks and sweeping vistas of the Great Plains in Montana! The primary purpose of this position is to function as a community health nurse performing a range of professional duties pertaining to health prevention and education in American Indian communities. Responsibilities Provides a program of communicable disease control following applicable state, federal and tribal laws. Performs home visits, conducts individual and group education classes, and teaches through demonstration. Provides programs of maternal health care, child health care and adult health care. Counsels and refers individual clients and families to available health services. Participates in community-based groups for public health promotion and disease prevention. A housing subsidy of up to $731.07 per pay period without dependents or $938.76 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. There may not be immediate vacancies at all locations. 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. 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. Weekend and evening hours if applicable. A valid state Driver's License is 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. 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 (external link), Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (external link), Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (external link), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (external link) at the time the degree was obtained. Degree from Foreign Nursing School: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (external link) 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 (external link). 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. GS-7 Basic Requirements: 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; OR 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); utilize nursing process in order to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health needs in providing nursing care to individuals and families including interventions designed to prevent complications and minimize disabilities; teach and supervise patients and families in techniques of positive health measures. OR Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience: utilize nursing process in order to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health needs in providing nursing care to individuals and families including interventions designed to prevent complications and minimize disabilities; teach and supervise patients and families in techniques of positive health measures. OR Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing educational program. GS-9 Basic Requirements: 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: deliver health and nursing care to individuals, families, schools within communities using initiative, judgment in covering a range of nursing services through counseling, teaching and follow-up within established plans, policies and objectives of the agency and evaluating the effectiveness of the program, appraise the quality of nursing services delivered which impacts the health of individuals, families and communities. GS-11 Basic Requirements: 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 Possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program or at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level): establish plan for care, provides a variety of nursing services, including administering treatments and medications; directing rehabilitative activities; and counseling and teaching in relation to the patient's condition. Track community health status, evaluate health trends and risk factors of population groups. Collect data in a systematic and organized manner, i.e. demographic, immunization, and analyzers the collected assessment data. Partners with community leaders to evaluate the data, and determine opportunities and needs for the future. Collaborates in the development and use of health policies and plans that support the individuals, families, and the community health efforts. 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). 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. 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 may or may not be covered by a Bargaining Unit depending on location. Up to 25% recruitment or relocation incentive may be provided. At least a 6 month service agreement will be required. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: https://www.usphs.gov/. 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-11 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.