Become an Outpatient Practical Nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center

If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) looking to build a highly stable, rewarding, and impactful career, the Department of Defense has an exceptional opportunity for you. The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is currently hiring a Practical Nurse (Outpatient) to join the clinical team at the renowned Madigan Army Medical Center, located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, Washington.

This civil service role offers a unique combination of professional fulfillment, standard daytime working hours, competitive compensation, and the chance to deliver world-class care to military service members, retirees, and their families. This guide provides an in-depth breakdown of the position, day-to-day duties, compensation, and how to successfully navigate the federal application process.

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About the Agency: The Defense Health Agency & Madigan Medical Clinic

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is a joint, integrated clinical combat support agency that enables the Army, Navy, and Air Force medical departments to provide a medically ready force and ready medical force to Combatant Commands. DHA oversees military treatment facilities worldwide, serving more than 9.5 million beneficiaries.

Madigan Army Medical Center is one of the jewel facilities of military medicine. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Madigan is a state-of-the-art medical training and tertiary care center. The McChord Medical Clinic, where this position is situated, emphasizes preventive medicine, outpatient services, and primary care, providing a modern, supportive environment for nursing professionals.

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Job Responsibilities & Core Clinical Duties

As an Outpatient Practical Nurse (GS-05) at Madigan, your role is central to the daily flow and safety of the outpatient clinic. You will work closely with primary care providers, specialists, and registered nurses to implement individualized care plans.

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Individualized Patient Care: Delivering specialized nursing care tailored to the physical, emotional, and mental health needs of each outpatient.
• Provider Assistance: Prepping examination rooms, comforting patients, and assisting physicians directly with diagnostic procedures and minor outpatient surgeries.
• Medication & Immunization Administration: Safely preparing and administering prescribed oral medications, subcutaneous injections, and essential immunizations to adult and pediatric patients.
• Routine Clinical Procedures: Executing vital diagnostic tests including Electrocardiograms (EKGs), collecting nasal, throat, eye, and wound cultures, and applying dressings or bandaging.
• Specialized Cardiac Support: Assisting with complex procedures such as treadmill or bicycle cardiac stress tests, and administering medication protocols for echocardiogram bubble studies.

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Position Requirements & Qualifications

To qualify for this GS-05 level federal nursing position, candidates must meet specific criteria regarding citizenship, professional licensure, and clinical experience.

1. Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen.
• Licensure: You must have a current, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in any U.S. State, territory, or the District of Columbia. Note: Candidates who have completed their training and applied for a license may also be appointed, provided they obtain their license during the one-year probationary period.
• Background & Testing: Since this is a direct-care medical role, you must pass a pre-employment drug screening and standard credentialing/suitability adjudication.

2. Specialized Clinical Experience

Applicants must demonstrate at least one full year of nursing experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or supervised medical facility. This experience must be equivalent to the GS-04 level in federal service. Eligible experience must include:

• Handling sterile clinical equipment and procedures.
• Assisting professional healthcare providers with minor medical operations.
• Providing individualized nursing care plans.
• Administering routine medications and immunizations in clinical settings.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualifications, your credentials must be validated by an authorized private evaluation organization before applying.

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Salary Overview & Position Details

This position is categorized under the General Schedule (GS) civil service system as a GS-05 grade level. The salary range incorporates localized pay adjustments for the Joint Base Lewis-McChord/Tacoma regional area.

Key Position Specifications

Employment Feature	Details for This Role
Position Title	Practical Nurse (Outpatient)
Salary Range	$62,603 to $81,385 Per Year
Duty Location	Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Work Schedule	Full-Time, Monday through Friday (07:30 AM to 04:00 PM)
Incentives	Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Salary Negotiation	Available for candidates who are newly entering federal service
Travel Requirement	Non-travel or extremely low travel (Occasional local clinical coordination)

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Comprehensive Benefits Package

Federal civil service provides robust, highly competitive benefits that extend far beyond the base salary. Employees at the Defense Health Agency receive comprehensive support for health, family, and retirement:

• Health & Insurance Coverage: Access to premium federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans, along with comprehensive pharmacy benefits.
• Retirement Security: Coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which features a defined benefit pension plan and matching contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) (the federal equivalent of a 401k).
• Generous Leave Policy: Paid annual leave, dedicated sick leave, and paid federal holidays.
• Work-Life Harmony: Predictable daytime working hours with no mandatory overnight shifts or rotating clinical schedules, ensuring a stable lifestyle in the beautiful Puget Sound region.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

Applying for a federal job requires strict attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your application package is accepted and reviewed:

1. Prepare Your USAJOBS Account: Go to USAJOBS, log in, or create an account. Ensure your profile information is fully up to date.
2. Develop Your Resume: Write a detailed federal resume. Keep in mind the strict page limit (see application tips below).
3. Complete the USA Staffing Questionnaire: Click the "Apply" button on the USAJOBS listing to be redirected to the secure application portal. Complete the diagnostic questionnaire honestly.
4. Upload Required Documents:
   • Your tailored, professional resume.
   • A photocopy or certified statement of your active LPN/LVN license (including license number and state of issuance), or formal proof of license application.
   • College transcripts (if you are substituting education for experience or utilizing foreign education).
   • Other supporting documents, such as performance appraisals or cover letters (optional).
5. Review and Submit: Confirm all documents have successfully cleared the system's virus scan and submit your final package before the closing date on July 15, 2026.

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Essential Application Tips

Federal hiring portals use rigid screening parameters. Avoid common mistakes with these expert tips:

• The Two-Page Rule is Absolute: Your resume must be two pages or less. If your resume is even slightly over two pages, it will be automatically removed from consideration without a manual review of your qualifications.
• Quantify Your Experience: For every past job listed on your resume, you must include the employer's name, your official job title, exact start and end dates (Month/Year), and the exact number of hours worked per week (e.g., "40 hours/week"). Failing to include hours worked can prevent the HR specialist from calculating your experience credit.
• Write Out Acronyms: Avoid clinical jargon that is specific to one hospital system. Spell out medical terms to ensure the human resources specialist—who may not be a medical practitioner—understands your qualifications.
• Protect Privacy: If you submit military orders, performance ratings, or other documents that contain other people's names or sensitive details, sanitize (redact) that personal information before uploading.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I have to work weekends or holiday shifts?

No. This outpatient clinic role features a highly desirable, stable work schedule. Typical duty hours are Monday through Friday from 07:30 AM to 04:00 PM.

Is relocation assistance provided?

No. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) expenses are not authorized for this position as it has been determined that relocation is not in the government's financial interest. However, individual recruitment or relocation bonuses may be offered to highly exceptional applicants.

Can I apply if I just graduated and don't have my license in hand yet?

Yes. If you have finished your training and have formally applied for your LPN/LVN license, you may apply. You must submit proof of your pending application with your package and successfully secure your license during your first-year probationary period.

How will my application status be communicated?

Once you submit your application, you can check its processing status by logging into your USAJOBS dashboard. You will also receive email notifications acknowledging receipt and informing you if you are referred to the hiring manager.

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Working as an Outpatient Practical Nurse at Madigan Army Medical Center is more than just a job; it is a meaningful service that directly impacts the health and readiness of the American military community. With excellent local pay, exceptional federal benefits, and stable daytime clinic hours on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this GS-05 role is an ideal clinical career move.

Ensure your resume is under the strict two-page limit, gather your license credentials, and submit your application before the closing date on July 15, 2026.