Nurse (Pediatrics In-Patient Unit)

Indian Health Service • Gallup, NM

17h • Onsite

About The Position

The position is in the Inpatient Pediatric Unit within the Division of Nursing at Gallup Indian Medical Center in Gallup, New Mexico. The Registered Nurse provides comprehensive inpatient pediatric and medical-surgical nursing care to adult and pediatric patients with acute, chronic, pre-operative, and post-operative conditions. Care is delivered using professional nursing judgment and evidence-based practice, with attention to cultural and age appropriateness and patient-centered care.

The nurse assesses patients, develops and updates individualized care plans, provides bedside care and prescribed treatments, monitors clinical status, and coordinates services with an interdisciplinary team. The role also includes accurate electronic health record documentation, communicating changes in patient condition, and participating in quality improvement. On-call or standby duty, rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays may be required based on patient-care needs.

Requirements

• Graduate from an accredited professional nursing educational program with a graduate 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.
• Meet the applicable grade-level education and experience requirements. At GS-5, qualify through a BSN with no experience, or a nursing diploma/associate degree plus one full year of professional nursing experience. At GS-7, qualify through one of the stated education or experience pathways, including a BSN with one full year of professional nursing experience or a diploma/associate degree with two full years of experience.
• Demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 for GS-7, including professional nursing care for adolescents, children, infants, and neonatal patients; high-risk care; assessment and care planning; multidisciplinary coordination; medication, IV fluid, blood transfusion, and treatment administration; and patient/family education and appointment coordination.
• Meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the announcement closing date.
• Comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy applicable to work in an IHS healthcare facility.
• Successfully complete the required federal background investigation and financial suitability review.
• Provide two valid forms of identification before appointment; a state-issued ID or driver's license used must be REAL ID-compliant.
• U.S. citizenship is required; Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges and any required licensure.
• Complete required background-investigation forms within five calendar days of issuance and establish direct deposit.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants currently enrolled who are expected to complete required education and obtain required licensure, certification, or registration within six months of applying may be considered tentatively qualified.
• Experience in a specialty area of nursing may be required for some positions at GS-9 and above.

Responsibilities

• Apply professional nursing judgment and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary services and provide culturally and age-appropriate, patient-centered care.
• Perform comprehensive and ongoing assessments to identify actual and potential health problems.
• Develop and modify individualized nursing plans based on assessments, provider orders, and patient response to therapy.
• Provide direct bedside care for medical and surgical diagnoses, including pre-operative and post-operative management.
• Administer medications, intravenous fluids, blood products, and treatments in accordance with provider orders and nursing protocols.
• Monitor patient status, recognize clinical changes, and initiate appropriate nursing interventions, including emergency measures.
• Use critical-thinking and prioritization skills to manage multiple patients with varying acuity levels.
• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, therapists, social workers, and other staff to coordinate care.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds and contribute nursing assessments and recommendations to treatment planning.
• Accurately document assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the electronic health record.
• Communicate changes in condition and critical information using standardized reporting tools.
• Ensure documentation meets professional, legal, and regulatory requirements; correct documentation deficiencies within established timeframes.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts related to electronic health record accuracy and completeness.
• Perform on-call or standby duty and rotating shifts, weekends, or holidays when required by patient-care needs.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for the employee and family.
• Annual leave accrual of 4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period, based on federal service.
• IHS may credit directly related prior non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual.
• Potential eligibility for IHS, NHSC, or HRSA student loan repayment programs; these are competitive programs separate from hiring.

What This Job Offers

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