Nurse (Patient Advocate)

Indian Health Service • Winterhaven, CA

10d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Fort Yuma Service Unit. The incumbent serves as the primary Registered Nurse responsible for patient advocacy, patient rights support, grievance resolution, patient experience improvement, comprehensive patient care responsibility, specialized care-plan interpretation, and patient safety escalation within an AAAHC-accredited ambulatory health care setting. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). The purpose of this position is to provide professional nursing knowledge and clinical judgment for pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients within the Indian Health Service: Serves as the principal nursing liaison between patients, families, visitors, clinical staff, administrative departments, and leadership. Receives, evaluates, documents, and coordinates resolution of complaints and grievances. Explains patient rights, grievance procedures, privacy expectations, and available resources. Collects, analyzes, and trends complaint and patient experience data. Coordinates appropriate referrals and escalation. Participates in Tribal Council and stakeholder meetings as assigned.

Requirements

• 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.
• The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must submit copy of official transcripts.
• Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.
• Applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.
• 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.
• Must submit copy of nursing license that includes an expiration date.
• 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.
• You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Responsibilities

• Serves as the principal nursing liaison between patients, families, visitors, clinical staff, administrative departments, and leadership.
• Receives, evaluates, documents, and coordinates resolution of complaints and grievances.
• Explains patient rights, grievance procedures, privacy expectations, and available resources.
• Collects, analyzes, and trends complaint and patient experience data.
• Coordinates appropriate referrals and escalation.
• Participates in Tribal Council and stakeholder meetings as assigned.
• Applying professional nursing knowledge and clinical judgment to evaluate patient concerns.
• Resolving patient complaints and grievances.
• Facilitating service recovery.
• Identifying and escalating patient safety concerns.
• Supporting patient rights.
• Analyzing patient experience or complaint trends.
• Participating in healthcare quality improvement activities.
• Coordinating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to resolve patient advocacy and service delivery issues.

Benefits

• IHS's outstanding total compensation package
• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level