Nurse (Case Management)

Indian Health Service • Whiteriver, AZ

13h

About The Position

Nurses (Case Management) serve in Whiteriver, Arizona, and Winterhaven, California, providing professional nursing case management. The role coordinates purchased and referred care and mental health services among inpatient and outpatient care teams, external entities, and other providers. It supports primarily uninsured patients, though some insured patients may be referred. A REAL ID-compliant state-issued identification document will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

The nurse serves as a clinical liaison and resource for staff on provider referrals and orders, and develops care and service delivery plans with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams. Plans take into account identified needs and available provider and financial resources. The role also supports discharge from case management and coordinates ongoing support and direct care with service-unit case managers, discharge planners, and tribal programs when appropriate.

In the mental health system, the nurse performs intake screening and evaluation, including biopsychosocial assessments, makes triage decisions, and helps patients access appropriate services. Nursing functions are performed using the nursing process, including patient and family interviews, medical record review, and documentation. Assessment and care planning consider biophysical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, economic, and environmental aspects of the patient's situation.

This is a competitive vacancy under Direct Hire Authority. Selections are processed as new civil service appointments; current civil service employees receive new appointments, while benefits, time served, and other federal entitlements remain the same. At least a one-year service agreement is required. On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited professional nursing educational program with a graduate-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma.
• Pass the National Council Licensure Examination.
• Hold a current, active, full, and unrestricted professional nursing license or registration from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory.
• For the GS-11 grade level, either complete a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in professional nursing or a related medical science field, or have at least one full year of professional nursing experience equivalent to GS-9 and a diploma, associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master's degree from a professional nursing educational program.
• Submit proof of nursing education and a copy of a nursing license showing its expiration date; foreign nursing school graduates must provide official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Pass E-Verify employment verification and a federal background investigation; complete required investigation forms within five calendar days of receiving instructions.
• Meet the financial suitability review requirements and present two valid forms of identification; any state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• May be subject to a probationary period and, if working in an IHS health care facility, employee health policies concerning measles, rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations.
• Meet applicable suitability requirements for a position involving contact or control over Indian children.
• Set up direct deposit for payment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a clinical liaison and staff resource for clarifying provider referrals and orders.
• Assist with care coordination and care management, primarily for uninsured patients and occasionally for insured patients.
• Develop care and service delivery plans with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams based on identified needs and available provider and financial resources.
• Prepare patients, families, and providers for termination of case management when services are no longer required.
• Arrange ongoing support and direct care in coordination with service-unit case managers and discharge planners, including tribal programs when appropriate.
• Perform mental health system intake screening and evaluation, including biopsychosocial assessments.
• Make triage decisions and facilitate patients' movement into appropriate mental health services.
• Collect information through observation and investigation guided by nursing knowledge of human behavior and interviewing principles.
• Assess biophysical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, economic, and environmental aspects of patients' situations to understand problems and plan assistance.
• Perform nursing functions using the nursing process, including interviewing patients and family members, reviewing medical records, and documenting findings.
• Coordinate purchased and referred care and mental health services among inpatient and outpatient teams and external entities.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on federal service years.
• IHS may credit directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service toward the annual leave accrual rate.
• Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree