About This Position
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. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements
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. 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. Examples of equivalent professional nursing experience: Provide professional nursing care in a hospital, outpatient, or community health setting, including patient assessment, triage, and implementation of treatment plans. Participate in program activities such as infection prevention, employee health, accreditation readiness, or quality improvement initiatives.
Monitor adherence to clinical policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. Coordinate care with providers and interdisciplinary teams to support continuity of care. Provide guidance or direction to clinical support staff or serve in a lead or charge role when assigned.
You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
Major Duties
Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Nurse Practitioner Total Compensation | Pay (ihs.gov) Provide direct patient care in an ambulatory setting, performing assessments, triage, treatment, and follow up to ensure safe, high quality care. Supervise and support nursing and clinical support staff, setting priorities, reviewing work, and promoting professional development. Lead infection prevention, employee health, and safety initiatives to maintain regulatory and accreditation compliance.
Oversee daily nursing operations, identify process improvements, and implement changes that enhance patient outcomes and clinic efficiency. Collaborate with providers and community partners to coordinate comprehensive, culturally responsive care for the population served.
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.
A one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period may be required upon selection/placement. 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. Vaccine exemption requests may be available according to the National and/or Service Unit guidance.
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/. Selectee(s) are required to have a viable bank account at a financial institution for electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a 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. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance.
Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.
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/.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
This position will be filled through the Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire Authority. Category rating and Veterans' Preference will not be considered in evaluating applicants. For more information on Direct Hire Authority, please see OPM Direct Hire Fact Sheet.
Your application (resume and supporting documentation) will be evaluated to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications required as listed on the announcement under qualification requirements. To be considered well qualified for the purposes of the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and any other requirements.
Click here to view vacancy questions: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12897075. All documents above MUST be received by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date of, 03/12/2026, to be considered.
Additional Information
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.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A service agreement will be required. Position subject to call back, stand by, rotating shifts and nights/weekends/holidays. This work involves bending, stooping, lifting and carrying.
There may be long periods of sitting, walking or standing. 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 You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.
How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).
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. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package. See required documents below. To begin, Click 'Apply' online button on the vacancy announcement.
You will be directed the Login.Gov screen, here you will sign in if you have an existing USAJOBS account or create a Login.Gov account. If you have an account you will be directed to select a resume or create a resume. If you create an account you can create a resume.
Click save and continue.
Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or supporting documents.
Click the Apply to this Vacancy and complete all steps in the application process until the confirmation indicates your application is complete. If you click return to USAJOBS or get timed out prior to receiving confirmation, your application will not be submitted and cannot be considered for this job. Read and complete all Eligibility questions. Review the Required Documents section of this announcement to determine which apply to you and must be submitted online.
You may choose one or more of the following options to submit your document(s): Upload (from your computer) or USAJOBS (Click the USAJOBS link to complete the transfer process.) For additional questions please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) found here: http://www.ihs.gov/jobs/index.cfm?module=search&option=faq. The IHS provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Human Resources Office.
The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Required Documents
USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Resume: You are highly encouraged to visit the USAJOBS Help Center before submitting a resume. USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirements Required as applicable for the purposes of specific eligibility and appointment claim(s), and position requirements: Indian Preference Applicants: If claiming Indian preference, applicants must provide a completed copy of the Form BIA-4432, "Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in the BIA and IHS Only." Indian preference will not be given unless a properly signed and dated form is submitted with your application, including any verification by an authorized Tribal Representative or BIA Official of tribal enrollment records. For detailed instructions, see form BIA-4432.
Refer to BIA-4432 link: https://www.bia.gov/sites/default/files/media_document/1076-0160_indian-pref_expires-12.31.2028_508.pdf. Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP)/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): If you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP, follow the instructions below: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ctap_guideline.pdf. Transcripts: You are encouraged to submit copies of transcripts (official or unofficial) although not required at the time of application.
You must list your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Official transcripts will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer. Licensure, Certifications: Applicants should list their license/certifications on their resume, along with the expiration date, if applicable. Certification of licensure/certification will be required after tentative selection and prior to issuing an official job offer.