Practical Nurse (Operating Room)

About the Position: The Practical Nurse (Operating Room) provides support to the A. T. Augusta Military Medical Center in Fort Belvoir VA, helping ensure consistent, high-quality patient care and facility operations.

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.

Incumbent performs a variety of nursing procedures, in both in-patient and out-patient services. | Responsible for providing post-anesthesia recovery for patients following scheduled and emergent surgery; requiring close observation, cardio-respiratory monitoring, and ongoing evaluation. | Perform treatment procedures that includes administration of oral, intramuscular, topical, inhaled, and rectal, and intravenous medications; initiating IV access and monitoring IV fluid/medication administration, sterile dressing changes. | Document all pertinent data regarding physical and emotional status of patients. | Perform a wide range of diagnostic support duties (vital signs, intake and output, obtaining laboratory specimens, monitor cardiac telemetry, perform basic cardiac life support (BLS). | Assess patient's changing condition and updates patient care plans. | Enter patient information into electronic medical record (EMR). | Provide instruction/teaching to patient and family members on post-operative procedures.

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described below. 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; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Practical Nurse (Operating Room):

Licensure: A current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, 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 photostatic 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 meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below:

Experience: One year of nursing experience 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; Setting up or operating operating room equipment; Monitoring patient vital signs during perioperative phases; Assisting surgeons during surgical procedures. This definition of experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).

Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.

This position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment. | This position has specific initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements since its duties require interaction with children and youth under the age of eighteen (18)years of age on a recurring basis. | This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position. | All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. | This position is subject to a pre-employment screening, and random drug testing, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident. | Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Applicants may be required to show proof of other immunizations depending on the type of position. | This position has mandatory seasonal Influenza vaccination requirements and is subject to annual seasonal Influenza vaccinations unless otherwise exempted for medical or religious reasons (documentation of exemption must be provided upon hire). | This position requires the incumbent to have Tuberculosis testing. | This position may require the incumbent to work on call during irregular work hours which may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and/or varying work schedules. | This position has been designated Mission Essential. In the event of severe weather conditions or other such emergency type situations, the incumbent is required to report to work or remain at work as scheduled to support mission operations. | Position is designated as Inclement Weather Essential. The incumbent must make every attempt to report for work on time and/or remain on duty during severe weather conditions. | This position requires the incumbent to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate/relevant clinical privileges. | Lifting up to 40 pounds may be required.