Clarification from the agency

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

• Provide comprehensive nursing care for acutely ill and/or critically ill patient populations in an intensive care environment with potential life-threatening health problems to prevent complications and maximize or restore health.
• Assess nursing needs and develops and implements a Plan of Care for each patient consistent with recognized professional nursing standards, evidence-based practice, and augmented with prescribed medical care.
• Respond decisively to life-threatening changes in patient condition, providing immediate and appropriate emergency measures, according to professional nursing practice standards and/or established protocols.
• Administer a wide variety of medication to include rapid-acting, highly potent, and potentially lethal medications via various routes in accordance with hospital safety protocols.
• Assist provider with complex and potentially life-threatening procedures such as the insertion of arterial and venous catheters, chest tubes, and endotracheal tubes. Initiates life saving measures such as advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Manage equipment such as cardiac monitors, ventilators, various intravenous infusion pumps, defibrillators, equipment for peritoneal dialysis, renal replacement therapy, EKGs, cardiac monitor, oxygen analyzers, hemodynamic monitoring equipment.
• Mentor professional and paraprofessional nursing staff, including potential trainees from various nursing programs (nurse transition program, critical care fellowship, practical nursing) and new staff.
• Provide guidance and leadership to professional nurses and paraprofessional personnel, assisting with complex nursing and diagnostic procedures.
• Direct nursing care, based on patient care requirements and staff skill levels; evaluates and modifies plan of care, based on continuous assessment of patient needs and expected outcomes.
• Conduct the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of facility, departmental, or unit-based programs.
• Participate in care planning care conferences and with other nurses, professional, and nonprofessional personnel to determine and communicate the steps needed to achieve optimal care and health.
• Function as charge nurse of a particular shift on a recurring basis, assuming the responsibility for promoting quality, cost-effective nursing care, within the framework of the military treatment facility philosophy and mission objectives.

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
• The duties of this position meet the criteria for compliance with Federal and Department of the Army Drug Free Workplace Programs. Detection of the presence of drugs is warranted.
• This position has been designated "Mission Essential". In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations.
• This position has a requirement to lift up to 50 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
• Appointment to this position is subject to a one year probationary period unless the appointee has previously met the requirements as described in 5 CFR Part 315.
• This position requires incumbent to obtain and maintain Basic Life Support training certification from, or in accordance with, the American Heart Association and American Red Cross.
• Employees assigned to a medical treatment facility are required to be screened for applicable immunizations or pre-existing immunity based on occupational risk, regardless of job series.
• This position has a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement and is subject to annual vaccination.
• Applicants must be able to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate/relevant clinical privileges.
• This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis: 0700-1900, 1900-0700, 0700-1500, 1500-2300, 2300-0700.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Nurse (ICU):

Degree: 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).

Licensure: 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; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.

Foreign Degree: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the applicant.

Active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

Professional Nursing Experience: One or more full years of professional nursing experience which includes 1) Providing comprehensive nursing care to critically ill patients; 2) Conducting patient assessments to develop and execute plan of care based on professional nursing standards; 3) Identifying the need for immediate life saving interventions by observing patient symptoms; and 4) Administering medications through various routes in accordance with hospital safety protocols. This definition of professional nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.