Summary
The Intermittent (Float Pool) is designated for Direct Patient Care areas. This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) permits the acceptance of applications year-round. Applicants will be considered as needed until all positions are filled. The role is temporary and intermittent, with a duration not exceeding one year.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration.
Duties
Virtually explore the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus, learn about scientific research, and get to know NIH community members who are working to help people live longer, healthier lives: https://www.nih.gov/virtual-tour/
The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center leads the nation in implementing a specialty practice model for Clinical Research Nursing which defines the roles and contribution of nurses providing care to research participants. If you want to play a significant role in supporting the vision at the Clinical Center in leading the Nation in implementing a specialty practice model for Clinical Research Nursing, then consider joining our team! For more information, visit:http://www.cc.nih.gov/
Per Diem Nurse assists with the supplemental staffing requirements of various patient care areas within the hospital, functioning as a team member in the Nursing Department at the Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Per diem nurses may be assigned to specific units or be part of the Staffing and Workforce Planning float pool. The preferred candidate will have recent acute care experience in one or more of the specified specialties: Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Outpatient or Critical Care, Perioperative Nursing, and Procedure Services, Blood Services Section and more.
If you are selected for this position your responsibilities will include:
- Exercise the full domain of practice for the specialty of clinical research nursing including providing clinical care to research participants, supporting protocol implementation, data collection, continuity of care, human subject's protection and dissemination of clinical research findings. Utilize advanced critical thinking and nursing skills to assess, plan, perform, and evaluate nursing care for individual patients, their families and significant others, who are participants in biomedical research protocols. Care requirements are determined by the scope of study participation, the clinical condition of the patient and the requirements and clinical effects of research procedures. The impact of the research process on patient care is identified and communicated. Interventions are adjusted based on findings, and issues/variances are reported promptly to the research team. Evidence-based practice is incorporated into nursing practice.
- Support biomedical research through detailed observation, measurement, and accurate data collection related to pertinent assessment as defined by the protocol specifications and the nurse's clinical judgment. Accurately document observations, identify trends and important findings and effectively communicate this information to the multidisciplinary research team and nursing colleagues. Provide feedback to colleagues and investigators on all issues affecting the quality of the research endeavor, assist less-experienced nurses in learning the specifics of studies or protocols, evaluate patient trends in outcomes and compliance, and contribute to the design of clinical trials.
- Provide patient-focused nursing leadership within the interdisciplinary team and collaborate with team members to create and communicate a plan of care that balances clinical care needs with research needs and allows for safe and effective collection of clinical research data. Contribute to multidisciplinary conferences and activities regarding research participant care and protocol implementation. Delegate, guide and coordinate the work of nursing staff and support personnel.
- Provide independent direct patient care within competency scope to one or more of the following patient populations: Medical-Surgical, Oncology, Pediatrics, Behavioral Health, Outpatient or Critical Care.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
- Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
- Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered with the Selective Service.
- Selectee(s) are required to undergo a Pre-Employment Medical Screening.
- This position has the following minimum qualification requirements: nurse education, license and specialized experience.
- This position requires the incumbent to be able to lift and move items weighing up to 35 lbs.
- This position is designated as Tier-1 Emergency Essential. See Additional Information section for specific details on this designation.
- This position may require the following work shifts: nights, rotational, holidays, weekends.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
In order to meet the Basic Qualification Requirements for a Nurse (Supplemental) GS-0610-12, you must:
A. Have a graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program.
NOTE: Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.
.
License:
B. Possess 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 in the clinical specialty required by the position.
AND
C. You must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) or obtained licensure before the implementation of the NCLEX-RN. Individuals who have not passed the NCLEX-RN, but meet all other qualification requirements will be subject to a comprehensive evaluation of both their education and experience prior to final appointment.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition, to qualify for a Nurse (Supplemental) position at the GS-12 level, you must have at least 1 year of professional Nurse experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: 1) Utilizing advanced critical thinking and nursing skills to assess, plan, perform, and evaluate nursing care for patients in biomedical research protocols. 2) Providing direct patient care to patients within their program of care. 3) Supporting biomedical research through detailed observation, measurement, and accurate data- collection related to as defined by assessment or protocol specifications. 4) Accurately documenting observations, identifying trends and important findings, and effectively communicating this information to the multidisciplinary research team. 5) Resolving clinical and operational issues in collaboration with supervisors and demonstrating decisions and actions that support the organization and research mission.
You will receive credit for all experience material to the position, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether you received pay.
Do not copy and paste the duties or specialized experience from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
We may verify or assess your qualifications at any time. Inflated or unsupported qualifications may affect your rating. Any misrepresentation or material omission of facts may be sufficient cause to end further consideration of your candidacy. Persons listed as knowing your past accomplishments or experience in your application may be contacted for verification purposes at any time. Verification may, but need not, begin before receiving an offer.
Preview application questionnaire before you apply: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13075914
Education
This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts (or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed and grades). Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Click here for information on Foreign Education.
Additional information
- This Open Continuous announcement establishes a list of qualified applicants to be considered for Nurse (Clinical Research) vacancies as they occur. The first list of eligible applicants will be sent to Hiring Managers on October 23, 2026, which includes all applicants who self-certify their eligibility by October 22, 2026 11:59 PM (EST). Subsequent cut-off dates will be established based on the date a request for a List of Eligible Applicants is received from the Hiring Manager to fill a vacancy.
- This position is designated as an "emergency essential" position and the selected candidate will be considered an "emergency essential" employee and will be required to be available, ready, willing, and able to report for duty under all circumstances (e.g., inclement weather, government closings and holidays, lapses in appropriations, non-emergency and emergency situations) for operation 24 hours a day and 365 days per year coverage.
- PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps should also apply online to this announcement in order to receive consideration.
- The National Institutes of Health participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
- The NIH maintains a tobacco free work environment and campus.
- Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Visit our Help Applying page for helpful information on the application process.
- If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: Reasonable Accommodation.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
A direct hire authority covers the position(s) advertised in this announcement. Traditional rating and ranking of applicants, including category rating, does not apply. Qualified candidates meeting the minimum proficiency score on the technical assessment will be referred for further consideration in accordance with the
Office of Personnel Management's Direct Hire guidelines. Veterans' Preference does not apply.
The positions advertised in the this announcement are covered by the agency's Reemployment Priority List (RPL). RPL candidates will be rated, placed into one of the quality categories below, and referred to the hiring office, once veterans' preference is applied.
- Qualified
- Well Qualified
- Best Qualified
To be considered well qualified for the
Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) and the
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP), you must be able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry and substantively exceed the basic qualifications and meet all eligibility, physical, medical, suitability, and all other requirements.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
Required Documents
REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS
RESUME:
Your resume must clearly demonstrate, in two pages or less, how your skills and experiences align with the "Qualifications" section and support your questionnaire responses. While cover letters provided with your application will be shared with hiring officials, they will not be used for initial qualification determinations. We cannot assume required experience based on your work or academic history. If your resume exceeds two pages, only the first two will be reviewed. Use a legible font such as Lato, Calibri, Helvetica, or Arial, with 0.5-inch margins. Suggested formatting: 14-point for titles and 10-point for body text. You may use the USAJOBS Resume Builder or upload your own resume. If uploading, ensure it includes all required information and is organized so we can match the following to each position:
- Job title
- Employer name
- Employment dates (MM/DD/YYYY)
- Hours worked per week (full-time assumed; part-time prorated)
- Detailed duties, accomplishments, skills, responsibilities, and supervisory details (if applicable)
- Series and grade or equivalent (for federal positions)
If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you must list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study. If the position requires a certain number of credit hours, you are strongly encouraged to list the relevant courses in your resume.
Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information (age, date of birth, marital status, protected health information, religious affiliation, social security number, etc.) on your resume or cover letter.
We will not access web pages linked on your resume or cover letter to determine your qualifications.
For resume writing guidance, please visit the following resources:
NIH Help Applying, USAJOBS Resource Center, and the
USAJOBS Resume Guidance. If the position has an education requirement or you are qualifying on the basis of education, you need to list your education history including the type of degree and your major of study.
APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE:
You must submit a completed application questionnaire.
Unless otherwise stated, we will only use the information above to determine your qualifications. Not providing the required information may result in a determination that you do not meet minimum requirements for the position (e.g., an ineligible rating) or a lower rating.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR CAREER TRANSITION CLAIMS
Visit our websites to claim selection priority through the Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP):
If you do not provide the required information, we will assume you are not eligible or you do not wish to be considered for any preference or eligibility.
Please do not submit any other supplementary documentation that is not requested of you. To protect your personal information, we will only send your resume and cover letter to the selecting official or hiring manager.
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, please read and follow all instructions in this announcement, complete the online application, and submit the documentation specified in the "Required Documents" section. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on 12/31/2026 to receive consideration.
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside about two (2) hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.
In addition to the required documents, we encourage you to submit a cover letter, copy of your transcripts, and any applicable certifications or licenses. Even though this information is not required at the time of application, we may request this information later.
We cannot assume responsibility or grant extensions for personal issues (e.g., troubles navigating the application process, loss of internet, not understanding a question) when applying to our announcements. For technical difficulties, contact HR Systems Support between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM ET Monday through Friday at
hrss@nih.gov.
If you need any other accommodation or assistance with applying, please contact NIH HR Service Desk Branch E at ohrcsdbranchesrvdsk@od.nih.gov. Requests for reasonable accommodations must be made before the announcement closing date.
Visit our site for information on NIH's EEO program, Reasonable accommodation procedures, laws, policy statements, and the operation of the EEO complaint process.
Next steps
Once you submit your application package, you will receive an acknowledgement email. You will be notified of the status of your applications via email. In addition, you can track the progress of your application package through your USAJOBS account.
At the discretion of the agency, you may be contacted via phone or email for an interview or to provide additional information up to several months from the closing date of the announcement. Please ensure you have provided accurate contact information. To remain in consideration, you must respond in a timely manner to our correspondence and requests for documentation or information throughout the hiring process.