Public Health Nurse
Indian Health Service
Job Description
Summary
At the Indian Health Service (IHS), nurses do more than practice medicine—they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.
Primary Duties
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-07 Duties
Under close supervision, supports community/public health nursing services by assisting higher-level nurses in applying the nursing process to deliver care in home, school, clinic, and community outreach settings.
Collects and documents demographic, clinical, and basic epidemiologic information; helps maintain registries (e.g., immunization tracking) and supports routine communicable disease surveillance activities using established tools and protocols.
Provides basic health education and prevention messaging using approved materials and reinforces established plans of care, including culturally safe health promotion across the lifespan.
Assists with referrals, follow-up, and documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) and participates in quality improvement and reporting activities in accordance with standing orders, professional standards, and supervisory guidance.
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-09 Duties
With minimal supervision, independently provides comprehensive community/public health nursing services to individuals and families across the lifespan using the nursing process in home, school, clinic, and community settings.
Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized and family-centered plans of care, including outreach, screening, immunization follow-up, referral, early intervention, and case management.
Participates in population health assessment and communicable disease control by collecting, validating, and documenting data and assisting with case reporting, investigation, contact follow-up, and implementation of control measures in coordination with public health entities.
Coordinates care and transitions with interdisciplinary teams and tribal/community partners, delivers cultural and literacy-appropriate health education, and supports program documentation and quality improvement activities consistent with regulatory and professional standards.
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-11 Duties
Independently plans, prioritizes, and delivers community/public health nursing services to individuals, families, groups, and defined populations, integrating public health principles with clinical practice (e.g., primary prevention, chronic disease management, maternal/child health, and communicable disease prevention/control).
Conducts comprehensive population and community assessments by analyzing demographic, clinical, and epidemiologic data to identify trends, priority health issues, high-risk groups, and disparities, and translates findings into targeted prevention and early intervention strategies.
Leads or coordinates communicable disease investigations and outbreak response activities and develops, implements, and evaluates community-based health programs in collaboration with public health entities and community/tribal partners.
Serves as a clinical and public health resource through consultation, mentoring, and training, and advances program effectiveness through evaluation, quality improvement, accurate documentation, and adherence to nurse practice acts and public health nursing standards.
Requirements
Subject to a trial or probationary period.
U.S. citizenship required.
Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Direct deposit set up for payment.
Designated position covered by Public Law 101-630 requiring contact or control over Indian children; must not have certain criminal convictions.
Measles, rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations as required; vaccine exemption requests may be available per guidance.
Must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including licensure requirements; otherwise subject to adverse action.
Pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Position subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays; shifts may vary from 8-, 10-, and 12-hour. On‑call or standby may be required.
Background Investigation
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. Applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays or a determination of unsuitability.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience may include paid, unpaid, volunteer work, and part‑time roles. Clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position and the total hours per week.
Basic Requirements for GS‑7
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision;
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑5 grade level);
Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or
Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing program.
Basic Requirements for GS‑9
Possession of a master’s degree in professional nursing; or
At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑7 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program.
Basic Requirements for GS‑11
Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing program or related medical science field; or
At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑09 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a professional nursing program.
Minimum Qualifications
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
Specialized Experience GS‑07
Performing basic nursing care (e.g., screenings, immunizations, routine procedures) within competency and standing orders and promptly escalating abnormal findings to a supervising nurse or provider.
Collecting and documenting demographic and clinical data using established tools, registries, and protocols; maintaining accurate records in an electronic health record.
Providing basic health education and prevention messaging and reinforcing established care plans, including culturally safe communication.
Supporting care coordination activities by arranging referrals, scheduling follow-up, and connecting clients to services addressing medical and social drivers of health.
Supporting communicable disease surveillance and control activities (e.g., routine case reporting, tracking, and follow‑up documentation) under supervisory guidance.
Specialized Experience GS‑09
Developing, implementing, and evaluating individualized and family‑centered plans of care in community settings, including care coordination and case management.
Providing skilled nursing interventions (e.g., immunizations/treatments as authorized), monitoring patient response, documenting outcomes, and communicating significant findings to providers.
Participating in communicable disease investigations and control activities, including case reporting, interviews, contact follow‑up, and implementation of control measures in coordination with public health entities.
Collecting and documenting data to support surveillance and community health assessment activities.
Delivering culturally appropriate, literacy‑ and language‑tailored health education and prevention interventions across the lifespan.
Contributing to performance improvement and quality assurance activities.
Specialized Experience GS‑11
Conducting population health assessments and analyzing data to identify priority health issues, vulnerable populations, and health disparities.
Performing complex case management and care coordination for individuals/families across care settings and community resources.
Tailoring health promotion and disease prevention interventions and strategies to include literacy, language, culture, social, and community factors.
Independently providing skilled nursing interventions, monitoring patient response, documenting outcomes, and communicating significant findings to providers.
Serving as a clinical and public health resource to staff through mentoring, training, and leading performance improvement and quality assurance activities.
Leading or coordinating communicable disease investigations and outbreak response, implementing control measures within scope.
Additional Information
Short essay responses (200 words or less each) to four questions regarding commitment to the Constitution, improving government efficiency, advancing the President’s executive orders, and work ethic. Responses are optional and will not be scored, but may be reviewed during evaluation.
Financial suitability: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and satisfy all legal obligations. Substantial unresolved financial obligations may result in disqualification.
Employment benefits: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period) based on years of service. Newly‑appointed employees may receive credit for federally related prior non‑federal experience.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A service agreement will be required.
Bargaining unit coverage may apply.
Student loan repayment programs are available through IHS, NHSC, and HRSA. Participant eligibility and funding availability are subject to agency priorities.
Promotion to higher grade levels is discretionary and not guaranteed.
Evaluation is conducted under the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
Key Links
National Health Service Corps program: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
HRSA Nurse Corps loan and scholarship: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps
IHS loan repayment: http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify: https://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
#J-18808-Ljbffr
At the Indian Health Service (IHS), nurses do more than practice medicine—they change lives. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.
Primary Duties
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-07 Duties
Under close supervision, supports community/public health nursing services by assisting higher-level nurses in applying the nursing process to deliver care in home, school, clinic, and community outreach settings.
Collects and documents demographic, clinical, and basic epidemiologic information; helps maintain registries (e.g., immunization tracking) and supports routine communicable disease surveillance activities using established tools and protocols.
Provides basic health education and prevention messaging using approved materials and reinforces established plans of care, including culturally safe health promotion across the lifespan.
Assists with referrals, follow-up, and documentation in the electronic health record (EHR) and participates in quality improvement and reporting activities in accordance with standing orders, professional standards, and supervisory guidance.
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-09 Duties
With minimal supervision, independently provides comprehensive community/public health nursing services to individuals and families across the lifespan using the nursing process in home, school, clinic, and community settings.
Develops, implements, and evaluates individualized and family-centered plans of care, including outreach, screening, immunization follow-up, referral, early intervention, and case management.
Participates in population health assessment and communicable disease control by collecting, validating, and documenting data and assisting with case reporting, investigation, contact follow-up, and implementation of control measures in coordination with public health entities.
Coordinates care and transitions with interdisciplinary teams and tribal/community partners, delivers cultural and literacy-appropriate health education, and supports program documentation and quality improvement activities consistent with regulatory and professional standards.
Public Health Nurse GS-0610-11 Duties
Independently plans, prioritizes, and delivers community/public health nursing services to individuals, families, groups, and defined populations, integrating public health principles with clinical practice (e.g., primary prevention, chronic disease management, maternal/child health, and communicable disease prevention/control).
Conducts comprehensive population and community assessments by analyzing demographic, clinical, and epidemiologic data to identify trends, priority health issues, high-risk groups, and disparities, and translates findings into targeted prevention and early intervention strategies.
Leads or coordinates communicable disease investigations and outbreak response activities and develops, implements, and evaluates community-based health programs in collaboration with public health entities and community/tribal partners.
Serves as a clinical and public health resource through consultation, mentoring, and training, and advances program effectiveness through evaluation, quality improvement, accurate documentation, and adherence to nurse practice acts and public health nursing standards.
Requirements
Subject to a trial or probationary period.
U.S. citizenship required.
Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Direct deposit set up for payment.
Designated position covered by Public Law 101-630 requiring contact or control over Indian children; must not have certain criminal convictions.
Measles, rubella, and seasonal influenza immunizations as required; vaccine exemption requests may be available per guidance.
Must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including licensure requirements; otherwise subject to adverse action.
Pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
Position subject to rotating shifts: days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays; shifts may vary from 8-, 10-, and 12-hour. On‑call or standby may be required.
Background Investigation
This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. Applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays or a determination of unsuitability.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience may include paid, unpaid, volunteer work, and part‑time roles. Clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position and the total hours per week.
Basic Requirements for GS‑7
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement provision;
Possession of a bachelor’s degree in Nursing and at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑5 grade level);
Possession of a diploma or associate degree in professional nursing and two full years of professional nursing experience; or
Completion of at least one full year of graduate education in a professional nursing program.
Basic Requirements for GS‑9
Possession of a master’s degree in professional nursing; or
At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑7 grade level or above) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program.
Basic Requirements for GS‑11
Successful completion of a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing program or related medical science field; or
At least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS‑09 grade level) and possession of a diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from a professional nursing program.
Minimum Qualifications
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following type of work and/or tasks:
Specialized Experience GS‑07
Performing basic nursing care (e.g., screenings, immunizations, routine procedures) within competency and standing orders and promptly escalating abnormal findings to a supervising nurse or provider.
Collecting and documenting demographic and clinical data using established tools, registries, and protocols; maintaining accurate records in an electronic health record.
Providing basic health education and prevention messaging and reinforcing established care plans, including culturally safe communication.
Supporting care coordination activities by arranging referrals, scheduling follow-up, and connecting clients to services addressing medical and social drivers of health.
Supporting communicable disease surveillance and control activities (e.g., routine case reporting, tracking, and follow‑up documentation) under supervisory guidance.
Specialized Experience GS‑09
Developing, implementing, and evaluating individualized and family‑centered plans of care in community settings, including care coordination and case management.
Providing skilled nursing interventions (e.g., immunizations/treatments as authorized), monitoring patient response, documenting outcomes, and communicating significant findings to providers.
Participating in communicable disease investigations and control activities, including case reporting, interviews, contact follow‑up, and implementation of control measures in coordination with public health entities.
Collecting and documenting data to support surveillance and community health assessment activities.
Delivering culturally appropriate, literacy‑ and language‑tailored health education and prevention interventions across the lifespan.
Contributing to performance improvement and quality assurance activities.
Specialized Experience GS‑11
Conducting population health assessments and analyzing data to identify priority health issues, vulnerable populations, and health disparities.
Performing complex case management and care coordination for individuals/families across care settings and community resources.
Tailoring health promotion and disease prevention interventions and strategies to include literacy, language, culture, social, and community factors.
Independently providing skilled nursing interventions, monitoring patient response, documenting outcomes, and communicating significant findings to providers.
Serving as a clinical and public health resource to staff through mentoring, training, and leading performance improvement and quality assurance activities.
Leading or coordinating communicable disease investigations and outbreak response, implementing control measures within scope.
Additional Information
Short essay responses (200 words or less each) to four questions regarding commitment to the Constitution, improving government efficiency, advancing the President’s executive orders, and work ethic. Responses are optional and will not be scored, but may be reviewed during evaluation.
Financial suitability: Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility and satisfy all legal obligations. Substantial unresolved financial obligations may result in disqualification.
Employment benefits: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6, or 8 hours per pay period) based on years of service. Newly‑appointed employees may receive credit for federally related prior non‑federal experience.
Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. A service agreement will be required.
Bargaining unit coverage may apply.
Student loan repayment programs are available through IHS, NHSC, and HRSA. Participant eligibility and funding availability are subject to agency priorities.
Promotion to higher grade levels is discretionary and not guaranteed.
Evaluation is conducted under the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.
Key Links
National Health Service Corps program: https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/
HRSA Nurse Corps loan and scholarship: https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps
IHS loan repayment: http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/
Department of Homeland Security E‑Verify: https://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/
#J-18808-Ljbffr