Nurse (Clinical/Medical-Surgical) Job in Fort Sam Houston, TX

Vacancy No. HQKF245919322108HW Department Defense Health Agency
Salary $40,142.00 to $114,663.00 Grade 2 to 2
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/26/2024 Close Date 1/6/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Fort Sam Houston, TX


Summary

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

Duties

  • Provide comprehensive nursing care from admission to discharge for patients suffering from extensive burns and/or complications and associated injuries.
  • Review records/reports from prior shifts, interpret signs and symptoms of patients changing status and taking corrective action.
  • Facilitate obtaining timely lab tests and X-rays as needed.
  • Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients based on nursing assessments and diagnoses, physician's medical care plan as well as the physical, mental, social, and emotional needs of the patient.
  • Provide ongoing and appropriate patient education throughout stay and at discharge.
  • Institute CPR as needed and react to emergencies occurring on the shift.
  • Advise physicians of actions taken and ensures proper documentation of nursing care provided on standardized nursing forms.
  • Ensure infection control standards are applied in accordance with unit and department operating policy.
  • Administer medications to include research drugs and operating special equipment such as cardiac monitors and air fluidized beds.
  • Set up, operate, and monitor specialized medical equipment such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, suction devices, etc.
  • Consult with physician regarding medical and nursing management of patient care needs.
  • Provide comprehensive nursing care to patients based on nursing assessments and diagnoses, physician's medical care plan as well as the physical, mental, social, and emotional needs of the patient.
  • Present findings and results, in writing or orally, for higher level review or publication.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
  • One year trial period may be required.
  • This position is subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations. Applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to sign a statement consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations or must provide a recognized exemption.
  • 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.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Red Cross. Advanced certification (e.g., ALS) does not supersede BLS. Current employees with AHA certification will remain valid until expiration.
  • Applicants must be able to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain Appropriate/relevant clinical privileges.
  • A pre-placement medical examination is required.
  • This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing thereafter, to include testing based on reasonable suspicion and testing due to direct involvement with an on-duty accident.
  • This position may include shift work or rotating shifts (evenings, weekends, and/or holidays).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • This position requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (CPR).
  • This position may require moderate lifting up to 25 pounds.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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 Nurse (Clinical/Medical-Surgical):
Degree
: A graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).

Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.

Foreign Degree: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.

Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017, or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Degree or diploma from a professional nursing program approved by the legally designated State accrediting agency at the time the program was completed by the applicant. Active, current registration as a professional nurse in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.

Minimum Qualifications:
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below.

Education/ Specialized Experience: A diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in nursing from a professional nursing program and possession of at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or above) which includes:

1. Experience providing nursing care to medical-surgical patients;

2. Experience advising attending physicians of significant changes in patient's conditions in a timely manner; AND

3. Experience operating and/or monitoring specialized medical equipment such as cardiac monitors, defibrillators, suction devices, etc.

OR

Education: A master's degree in professional nursing.

EXEMPTION: You are exempt from the qualification requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017, or before. Applicants claiming this exemption must meet the requirement below. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.

Two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master's or equivalent degree from a professional nursing program.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in the vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Education

Please see the qualifications section for education requirements.

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

ABOUT THE POSITION: Army Institute of Surgical Research (USAISR), a Defense Health Agency Research & Development (DHA R&D) asset, is collocated with the Brooke Army Military Medical Center (BAMMC), Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The USAISR is dedicated to BOTH laboratory and clinical trauma research. Its mission is to provide requirements-driven combat casualty care medical solutions and products for injured service members, from self-aid through definitive care across the full spectrum of military operations; provide state-of-the-art trauma, burn, and critical care to Department of Defense beneficiaries around the world and civilians in our trauma region; and provide Burn Special Medical Augmentation Response Teams.

USAISR is participating in an alternative personnel system known as the Personnel Demonstration Project (PDP). The DB-02 pay band is equivalent to the GS-05 step 1 to GS-12 step 10 level; however, management has elected to announce at the higher end of the pay band (GS-09 to GS-12). In keeping with the Demonstration pay fixing policies, employees earning a salary that falls within this pay band equivalent, may not receive an immediate pay increase (promotion) if appointed to this position. Future pay increases within the pay band will be accomplished through the pay for performance management system.

Salary negotiation may be available for those candidates who are new to Federal service.

This is a contingent (TERM) appointment, NTE 2 Years. Individuals selected for this term position may be eligible for conversion to career conditional appointment at a later date. To be converted, the employee must (1) have been selected for the contingent position under competitive procedures, (2) must have served 2 years of substantially continuous service in the contingent appointment, (3) be selected under merit promotion procedures for the permanent position, and (4) have a current rating of "B" or better.

This is a TERM position not to exceed 2 Years and may be extended to a maximum of 5 years. The DHA Research & Development (DHA R&D) Command is authorized to extend a contingent appointment one additional year.

Additional information

  • Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
  • You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
  • One year trial/probationary period may be required.
  • Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
  • Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
  • If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
  • Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
  • Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
  • Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
  • If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
  • Appointment to this position is subject to a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
  • This position is subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations.
  • Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization is required for all positions with direct patient contact.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Red Cross.
  • Applicants must be able to fulfill credentialing requirements and obtain and maintain appropriate/relevant clinical privileges.
  • This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) subject to a pre-employment drug screening, and random testing.
  • This position may include shift work or rotating shifts (evenings, weekends, and/or holidays).

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation.

Veterans and Military Spouses will be considered along with all other candidates.

Required Documents

The documents you are required to submit vary based on whether or not you are eligible for preference in federal employment. A complete description of preference categories and the associated required documents is in the Applicant Checklist for Public Announcements.

As described above, your complete application includes your resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.

1. Your resume:

  • Your resume may be submitted in any format and must support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, it will not be used to make eligibility and qualification determinations and you may not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualifications determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e., HRS per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as incomplete and you may not receive consideration for this position.
  • For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
2. Other supporting documents:
  • Cover Letter, optional
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable
  • This position has an individual occupational requirement and/or allows for substitution of education for experience. If you meet this requirement based on education you MUST submit a copy of your transcript with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
  • This position requires a job-related license or certification. You MUST submit a copy of your license or certification with your application package or you will be rated ineligible. See: Transcripts and Licenses
NOTE: Documents submitted as part of the application package, to include supplemental documents, may be shared beyond the Human Resources Office. Some supplemental documents such as military orders and marriage certificates may contain personal information for someone other than you. You may sanitize these documents to remove another person's personal information before you submit your application. You may be asked to provide an un-sanitized version of the documents if you are selected to confirm your eligibility.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 01/06/2025 to receive consideration

  • To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12652108).
  • Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
  • After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
  • You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
  • It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
  • Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Army Applicant Help Desk
Address
KF-DHA-DD60RC DHA R/D ACT-USAISR
DO NOT MAIL
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application. Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking (as applicable) for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.