Practical Nurse (Operating Room)

What you would do

• Provide post-anesthesia recovery care with close observation and heart and breathing monitoring.
• Give medications by mouth, muscle shot, skin, inhaler, rectum, and IV, and manage IV fluids.
• Check vital signs, collect lab specimens, and monitor heart rhythm.
• Assess changing patient conditions and update patient care plans.
• Record patient information in the electronic medical record.
• Teach patients and family members about post-operative care.

Do you qualify for GS-6?

With experience: You need one year of nursing experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, or patient care facility. The experience should include setting up operating room equipment and monitoring vital signs during surgery. The announcement says this experience is typical of GS-5 work, which is one level below this GS-6 job.

With education: This job does not have an education requirement. Education cannot replace experience for this job.

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
• A copy of your license must be included with your application

How to apply well

What to send:

• Resume of two pages or less that lists employer, job title, start and end month and year, and hours worked per week
• Copy of your nursing license, a certified copy, a notarized statement, or the license number and state
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Most recent performance appraisal, if applicable
• Cover letter (optional)

How you will be rated: Your application is first checked against the minimum requirements, then your resume, supporting documents, and online questionnaire are reviewed. Missing or incomplete documents can make you ineligible, and inflated qualifications can remove you from consideration.

Tips for this job:

• Your resume must be two pages or less and must show hours worked per week for each job.
• Upload a copy of your nursing license with your application, or you will be rated ineligible.
• Uploaded files can take up to an hour to clear the virus scan, so leave time before the deadline and re-select your other documents in USAJOBS.

Good to know before you apply

Schedule: Full-time and permanent. You may be required to work on call during irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and varying schedules.

Incentives and relocation: Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Relocation expenses are not reimbursed, and moving costs for a permanent change of station are not authorized.

Conditions of employment:

• Background investigation to determine federal suitability
• Background re-checks at set times because the job involves children under 18
• Pre-employment physical exam and a yearly exam after that
• Urinalysis drug screen before appointment
• Random drug testing, including after reasonable suspicion or an on-duty accident
• Hepatitis B immunization required for direct patient contact, plus other immunizations as needed
• Yearly flu vaccine unless exempt for medical or religious reasons
• Tuberculosis testing
• On-call work, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Mission Essential: must report or stay at work during severe weather or emergencies
• Must complete credentialing and get clinical privileges
• Lifting up to 40 pounds may be required
• Selective Service registration for men born after December 31, 1959
• 1-year probationary period
• Direct deposit of pay required
• Selection may be limited by the Department of Defense displaced employee referral system

Job details

Salary

$67,547 – $87,810 per year

Pay scale and grade

GS-6 · General Schedule

Location

Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Appointment

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Competitive

Openings

1

Security clearance

Not Required

Travel

Occasional travel

Drug test

Not required

Supervisory

No

Occupation

Practical Nurse (0620)

Announcement

HSJT-27-13103348-DHA