Become a Critical Care Nurse at Fort Hood with the Defense Health Agency

Are you a highly skilled and compassionate Registered Nurse with a passion for critical care, specifically neonatal intensive care? The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is offering a significant career opportunity for a Nurse (Clinical/Critical Care) at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas. This position is a direct-hire solicitation, indicating a streamlined hiring process for qualified candidates. Serving the men and women of our armed forces and their families is a profound responsibility, and this role is central to delivering top-tier healthcare within a vital military treatment facility. If you possess a strong background in critical care nursing and are seeking a challenging yet rewarding role, this announcement is for you.

About the Defense Health Agency

The Defense Health Agency (DHA) stands as a cornerstone of healthcare within the U.S. Department of Defense. As an integrated healthcare system, the DHA delivers comprehensive medical services across the entire DoD enterprise, ensuring the health and readiness of service members, retirees, and their families worldwide. The agency is committed to providing exceptional healthcare, advancing medical research, and enabling combat support through a robust and responsive medical network. The DHA operates numerous military treatment facilities, including major hospitals and clinics, employing thousands of dedicated healthcare professionals who are integral to fulfilling the agency's mission of "Anytime, Anywhere-Always."

Job Responsibilities: A Day in the Life of a Critical Care Nurse

As a Nurse (Clinical/Critical Care) at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, your primary focus will be the provision of specialized nursing care to critically ill infants. Your daily responsibilities will encompass a wide range of critical tasks designed to ensure the best possible outcomes for these vulnerable patients:

• Continuous Patient Monitoring: You will meticulously observe, monitor, and assess the condition of infants, interpreting subtle signs and symptoms of deterioration and promptly initiating corrective actions.
• Assisting with Procedures: You will work collaboratively with physicians to assist in complex and potentially life-threatening procedures, such as the insertion of arterial and venous catheters, chest tubes, and endotracheal tubes.
• Patient Transport and Preparation: Prepare infants for diagnostic surgical procedures outside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and meticulously prepare critically ill infants for transport via ground or air evacuation, ensuring their stability throughout the process.
• Medication and Nutrition Administration: Administer intravenous fluids, including specialized solutions like hyperalimentation and intralipids, as well as blood products. You will also be responsible for delivering prescribed nutrition through various routes, including oral, gavage, enteral drip, or intravenous methods.
• Advanced Equipment Management: Operate and monitor a variety of sophisticated technical equipment essential for critical care, including transcutaneous oxygen monitors, oximeters, ventilators, infusion and syringe pumps, defibrillators, radiant warmers, GE monitors, iSTAT Blood Testing machines, and blood warmers.
• Parental Education and Support: Serve as a vital source of information and support for parents, providing appropriate literature and guidance regarding their high-risk neonate, including discussions on the potential effects of illness or congenital anomalies on their child's long-term development.
• Resource and Research Contribution: Act as a resource person for fellow critical care nurses and other healthcare providers, sharing expertise and contributing to the advancement of care. You may also participate in research studies conducted within the NICU.
• High-Risk Delivery Support: Attend high-risk deliveries to provide immediate care and assist in the resuscitation of newborns as needed.
• Charge Nurse Duties: Potentially serve as a charge nurse during your assigned shift, performing administrative and floor duties as an extension of the head nurse's responsibilities. This includes making nursing care assignments to various skill levels of professional and nonprofessional personnel.

Requirements: Qualifying for This Critical Role

To be considered for this Nurse (Clinical/Critical Care) position, you must meet the following essential criteria. Please ensure your application package clearly demonstrates how you meet each requirement:

Who May Apply: This position is open to U.S. Citizens.

Basic Requirements for Professional Nursing:

• Education: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program. The program 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 another U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting body at the time the degree was obtained. You must attach a copy of your transcripts.
• Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a U.S. State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory. You must also have passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
• Foreign Degrees: If your nursing degree is from a foreign institution, you must provide official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).

Exemption to Basic Requirements:

Individuals who are currently federal employees occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have held this position continuously since September 27, 2017, or before, may be exempt from the basic education and licensure requirements. However, they must meet alternative criteria and provide appropriate documentation.

Specific Qualification Requirements for this Position (GS-11 Equivalent):

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must also possess:

• Option 1 (Experience): A diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program AND at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or above) that includes providing direct nursing care to critically ill infants.
• Option 2 (Advanced Education): A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or a related medical science field.

Exemption to Specific Qualification Requirements:

Similar to the basic requirements, federal employees in the 0610 occupational series continuously employed since September 27, 2017, or earlier, may be exempt if they meet specific alternative criteria, such as completion of all requirements for a doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in nursing.

Requirement Type	Details	Documentation Required
Citizenship	U.S. Citizen	Proof of U.S. Citizenship
Education	Accredited Nursing Program (Degree/Diploma)	Transcripts
Licensure	Active RN License (U.S.)	Copy of License
NCLEX	Passed	N/A (Verification via license)
Experience	1+ year critical care (infants)	Resume detailing experience
Or Advanced Education	PhD or equivalent	Transcripts

Salary Overview

This position is classified at the GS-11 grade level. The annual salary range for this role is $97,254 to $123,528 per year. This salary includes applicable locality pay, and actual pay may be negotiated for candidates new to federal service. Salary negotiations may be available.

Benefits: Why Join the DHA?

Working for the Defense Health Agency offers a robust benefits package designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program.
• Life Insurance: Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI).
• Retirement Savings: Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), with agency matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Generous annual and sick leave accrual, plus federal holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continued education, training, and career advancement.
• Work-Life Balance: While this position is designated as Mission Essential, the DHA generally supports work-life balance for its employees.
• Additional Incentives: Potential for a recruitment incentive and student loan repayment may be authorized.

Application Process and Tips

Applying for federal positions can be complex, but following these steps and tips will help ensure your application is complete and competitive:

1. Create/Update Your USAJOBS Profile: Ensure your USAJOBS account is up-to-date with your current contact information and resume.
2. Complete the Online Questionnaire: Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Your responses will be used to assess your qualifications.
3. Craft a Comprehensive Resume: Your resume is critical. It must be two pages or less and clearly detail your experience, education, and skills. For each relevant job, include the employer's name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), number of hours worked per week, and a description of your duties that align with the job announcement's requirements. Avoid acronyms and jargon. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed.
4. Gather Required Documents: You must submit:
   • Your resume (as described above).
   • Transcripts from your nursing program (unofficial are acceptable for application).
   • A copy of your current, active, valid, unrestricted professional Nurse registration/license.
   • If applicable, CGFNS certification for foreign degrees.
5. Upload Documents: Upload all required documents to your USAJOBS application. Be patient, as uploads may take time to clear security scans.
6. Review and Submit: Carefully review your entire application package—resume, questionnaire responses, and uploaded documents—for accuracy and completeness before submitting. Ensure you submit by the deadline: September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Key Tips for Success:

• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to every detail in the announcement.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers and data to describe your accomplishments on your resume.
• Keywords are Key: Ensure your resume uses keywords found in the job description.
• Proofread: Errors in your application can lead to disqualification.
• Check Application Status: Monitor your application status via your USAJOBS account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Q: What does 'Direct Hire' mean for applicants? A: Direct hire means the agency can appoint eligible candidates directly from the announcement, potentially speeding up the hiring process compared to traditional competitive appointments.

• Q: Do I need to submit official transcripts? A: Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the initial application. However, official transcripts may be required if you are selected.

• Q: Can I negotiate my salary if I'm new to federal service? A: Yes, salary negotiation may be available for candidates who are new to federal employment.

• Q: Is this position eligible for telework or remote work? A: No, this position is located at Fort Hood, Texas, and is not eligible for telework or remote work. It is also designated as Mission Essential.

• Q: What is the probationary period? A: A one-year probationary period is typically required for new federal employees. During this time, your performance and conduct are evaluated to ensure your continued employment advances the public interest.

This Nurse (Clinical/Critical Care) position with the Defense Health Agency represents an exceptional opportunity to leverage your specialized skills in a mission-critical environment. By providing expert care to critically ill infants, you will play an indispensable role in the health and well-being of military families while advancing your own career within a respected federal agency. If you meet the qualifications and are driven by a commitment to excellence in healthcare, we encourage you to submit a thorough and compelling application by the closing date.