Job summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for IMPORTANT additional information. This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19.

Major duties

****Duties and responsibilities vary and may increase according to grade level**** Observe and promptly notify nurse and/or physician of adverse physical and emotional reactions to the medications. Perform emergency procedures. Recognize the nature of emergencies and provides first aid in accordance with emergency protocols. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when needed. Conduct patient and family teaching. Teach patients and family members how patients should perform simple tests on themselves. Perform procedures such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), urinary catheterization, as needed. Administer prescribed medications.

Qualification

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Licensure: Candidates must be currently licensed to practice as practical or vocational nurses in a State or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia or must have applied for a license to practice. Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photo static copy of the license, a notarized statement attesting to the fact, or a citation of the license number and State issuing it. Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required license during the probationary period. Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved. No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained. In addition to the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must meet the following: IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS ABOVE APPLICANTS MUST ALSO MEET THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS LISTED BELOW: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: For GS-05: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled such as nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided patient care procedures for critically ill patients and related nursing care such as administering medications, catheterizing, irrigating, and suctioning patients; patient charting; use equipment, materials medications, and supplies in a large variety of diagnostic and treatment procedures; and understand the patient's chart, medical history and nursing care plan. For GS-06: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled such as nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as providing pre- and post-operative patient care, observing, recording, and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients, providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients, assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients and setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus. For GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled such as nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as providing pre- and post-operative patient care, observing, recording, and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients, providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients, assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients and setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus. For GS-08: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled such as nursing care work in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as providing pre- and post-operative patient care, observing, recording, and reporting changes in behavior of mentally ill patients, providing reassurance and encouragement to mentally ill patients, assisting surgeons and registered nurses in operating room activities, including passing instruments, maintaining sterile conditions, and draping and positioning patients and setting up and operating special medical equipment and apparatus. Click on the following link to view occupational requirements for this position: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0600/practical-nurse-series-0620/ KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of basic and commonly used medical equipment, supplies, and procedures sufficient to perform duties such as taking vital signs and taking samples. 2. Knowledge sufficient to gather and report patient information. 3. Knowledge sufficient to prepare and administer commonly prescribed medications, and to recognize adverse medical reactions in patients. 4. Knowledge sufficient to change sterile dressings and maintain the sterile condition of medical supply items. 5. Ability to respond to patient emergencies using resuscitative techniques and first aid procedures. 6. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Evaluations

Your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications. Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.