Licensed Practical Nurse-Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

What you would do

• Administer medications to a group of Residents as assigned by a registered nurse.
• Prioritize care activities for a group of Residents based on illness acuity or staff skill level.
• Provide Resident status information to interdisciplinary team members for care planning.
• Write notes describing Residents' condition, mood, and interactions with staff or family.

Do you qualify for GS-7?

With experience: You need one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-06 level in federal service, such as giving medications or hands-on nursing care, documenting patient responses, or directing nursing assistants or support staff. Long-term care or work with geriatric patients is highly desired.

With education: Education cannot replace experience at this grade. Any education you list must come from a school accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting institution.

Licenses and certifications you need:

• Current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C., or proof you have applied for one
• CPR certification
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association or American Red Cross

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume of no more than two pages showing job dates in month and year, hours per week, and rank or grade if military or federal
• Copy of your nursing license, a notarized statement, or the license number and state
• CPR and BLS certification
• Completed application questionnaire and USA Hire online assessments
• Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools certification if you graduated from a foreign nursing school
• If claiming CTAP/ICTAP priority: RIF or separation notice, SF-50, and latest performance appraisal
• If a current or former political appointee: SF-50 and a statement about the appointment
• Do not send photos; remove images from licenses and badges

How you will be rated: Applicants answer an application questionnaire, then pass a resume review for specialized experience and USA Hire online assessments that must meet a cut score. Overstating qualifications or cheating on an assessment can get you removed from consideration.

Tips for this job:

• Show dates as month and year and list hours per week for each job on your two-page resume, or that experience may not count.
• Attach your license copy, a notarized statement, or your license number and state, since the license is required.
• Do not send the OF-178 medical form with your application; it is only needed if you are selected.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time, permanent. The facility runs 24 hours a day on three shifts, and the nurse must be available for all three on a rotating basis.

Conditions of employment:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national
• Successful background investigation
• Declaration for Federal Employment suitability form when requested
• Selective Service registration for men born after December 31, 1959
• Drug test before appointment and random drug tests later
• Pre-employment physical (OF-178) only if selected
• Tuberculosis surveillance program
• One-year probationary period may be required
• Form I-9 identity check through the PIV process
• Direct deposit of pay
• Must work all three shifts on a rotating basis; shift cannot be guaranteed
• Must arrive on time and finish the assigned tour during emergencies such as hazardous weather
• Ethics training within 3 months; a financial disclosure report may be required within 30 days
• Physical demands include standing, bending, lifting, and repositioning Residents
• Exposure to infection and contagious diseases; possible physical attacks by Residents requiring safety training
• Wear required safety clothing and equipment

Job details

Salary

$24.00 – $31.00 per hour

Pay scale and grade

GS-7 · General Schedule

Location

Gulfport, Mississippi

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

2

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Not required

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Practical Nurse (0620)

Announcement

27-AFRH-13098050-DE-DHA