Drive Impactful Healthcare as a Certified Nurse Midwife with the Indian Health Service

Healthcare providers seeking a deeply rewarding clinical practice will find unmatched purpose with the Indian Health Service (IHS). As an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, IHS is dedicated to uplifting the health status of American Indian and Alaska Native populations. Currently, IHS is recruiting Certified Nurse Midwives across multiple medical facilities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Certified Nurse Midwives within IHS do far more than deliver clinical care—they serve as vital partners in family health, providing holistic, culturally respectful care to mothers, infants, and women across generations. This open continuous hiring announcement offers a competitive federal salary, comprehensive benefit packages, recruitment incentives, and potential access to generous student loan repayment programs.

About the Indian Health Service

The Indian Health Service is a federal agency responsible for delivering preventive, curative, and community-based health services to more than two million American Indians and Alaska Natives. Working for IHS means becoming part of an interdisciplinary healthcare environment where innovation, compassion, and community engagement drive patient outcomes.

Staff members enjoy a unique work-life balance characterized by community integration, outdoor recreation opportunities in rural landscapes, and a shared mission to reduce healthcare disparities. IHS facilities range from modern regional hospitals to remote community health clinics, each providing tailored care to local tribal communities.

Primary Responsibilities of a Certified Nurse Midwife

Midwives at IHS practice full-scope advanced practice nursing, delivering care throughout the reproductive lifespan. Working both independently and in collaboration with obstetricians and gynecologists, responsibilities include:

Comprehensive Reproductive Health: Conducting routine well-woman exams, gynecological evaluations, family planning consultations, and screening for infectious diseases.
Antepartum & Postpartum Care: Managing low-risk pregnancies through prenatal visits, labor preparation, nutrition guidance, and post-delivery health evaluations.
Labor & Delivery Support: Evaluating maternal and fetal health during labor admission, managing spontaneous vaginal deliveries, managing emergencies, and providing family-centered care.
Neonatal & Infant Care: Performing initial newborn evaluations, physical exams, and immediate post-delivery stabilization.
Patient Counseling & Education: Delivering culturally responsive health education on infant care, lactation support, reproductive health, and lifestyle management.
Collaborative Practice: Co-managing complex or high-risk cases alongside consulting Obstetrician-Gynecologists.

Grade Levels and Qualification Standards

Position placements range from the GS-9 level up to the GS-12 full-performance level depending on education and professional clinical experience.

Grade Level	Education Requirement	Professional Experience Required
GS-09	Graduate degree in Nursing (Midwifery specialty) or pending graduation within 9 months	Direct eligibility upon meeting basic degree and RN licensure criteria
GS-11	PhD / Doctoral degree in Nursing OR Master's in Nursing	1 year of specialized APN experience equivalent to GS-9
GS-12	Master's or Doctoral degree in Nursing (APN Midwifery)	1 year of specialized APN experience equivalent to GS-11

Mandatory Basic Qualifications

Education: Graduation from a professional nursing program accredited by CCNE, ACME, or another Department of Education-recognized body.
Licensure: Unrestricted current RN license and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) credentials in midwifery from a U.S. state, territory, or District of Columbia.
NCLEX: Successful passage of the National Council Licensure Examination.
Privileging: Ability to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges at the assigned medical center.

Comprehensive Compensation and Benefits

IHS offers competitive federal compensation ranging from $110,727 to $164,017 per year, depending on duty location and GS grade level. Beyond salary, employees receive an outstanding compensation package:

Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Selectees may be eligible for upfront cash sign-on bonuses or relocation allowances in exchange for a service agreement.
Student Loan Repayment Options: Midwives can apply for loan forgiveness programs through the IHS Loan Repayment Program, HRSA Nurse Corps, and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
Federal Retirement Pension: Secure your future through the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching up to 5%.
Health & Life Insurance: Excellent health coverage choices under FEHB, flexible spending accounts (FSA), dental/vision options, and federal group life insurance.
Generous Paid Time Off: Earn between 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave per year based on service length, plus 13 paid sick days and 11 official federal holidays.

How to Apply & Essential Application Tips

Applying for a federal direct-hire vacancy requires meticulous attention to detail. Follow these practical steps to maximize your application success:

Tailor Your Resume: Clearly list every clinical role, explicit duties performed, employer names, start/end dates (month/year), and total average hours worked per week.
Submit Full Transcripts: Include copies of official or unofficial transcripts. If you are a student graduating within 9 months, include an official letter signed by your registrar attesting to your expected completion date.
Document Your Licenses: Provide complete details of your state RN and Nurse Midwife licenses, including active license numbers and expiration dates.
Indian Preference Documentation: Applicants claiming tribal preference must attach a signed Form BIA-4432 from an authorized tribal official.
Complete Online Assessments: After submitting your initial USAStaffing portal application, check your email promptly for USA Hire competency testing links. Complete these assessments within the mandated window.

Is this announcement open continuously?

Yes. This is an open continuous announcement used to fill immediate and future vacancies. Applications are referred periodically as positions open.

What are the work schedule options?

While most openings are full-time permanent positions, part-time, temporary, term, or intermittent options may also become available. Shift schedules may include 8, 10, or 12-hour rotations across days, nights, weekends, and holidays.

If you are a passionate Certified Nurse Midwife looking to combine advanced clinical practice with a meaningful public service mission, the Indian Health Service invites you to apply. Take the next step in your healthcare career by visiting USAJOBS and submitting your complete application today.

Why This Certified Nurse Midwife Job Matters

Deliver life-changing maternal and reproductive healthcare across Indigenous communities as a Certified Nurse Midwife with the Indian Health Service.

Certified Nurse Midwife Job Overview

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is seeking Certified Nurse Midwives to provide comprehensive, culturally sensitive obstetric, gynecological, and newborn care. Operating in multiple clinical sites across Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and South Dakota, these positions offer an opportunity to make a lasting impact on American Indian and Alaska Native families. Positions range from GS-9 to GS-12 grade levels with competitive federal benefits, recruitment or relocation incentives, and student loan repayment opportunities.

Requirements for Certified Nurse Midwife

United States Citizenship is required.
Active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse from a U.S. state, territory, or District of Columbia.
Graduation from an accredited professional nursing program (Midwifery specialty).
Passing score on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Must obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges at assigned facility.
Selective Service registration for males born after December 31, 1959.
Successful completion of a federal background check and E-Verify employment verification.
Compliance with agency immunization requirements (measles, rubella, seasonal influenza).
Flexibility to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call duty.

Preferred Qualifications for Certified Nurse Midwife

One or more years of specialized advanced practice nursing experience in full-scope midwifery care.
Doctoral degree (PhD or DNP) in professional nursing or a related medical field for advanced grade placement.
Experience managing antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum care in rural or underserved healthcare settings.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary medical teams including obstetricians and pediatricians.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Competitive salary range with potential promotion ladder up to GS-12.
✓Possible recruitment or relocation sign-on bonus for eligible selectees.
✓Access to federal student loan repayment programs (IHS, NHSC, and HRSA Nurse Corps).
✓Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) and Federal Employees Dental/Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP).
✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with agency matching.
✓Generous annual leave and sick leave accrual based on federal service time.
✓Paid federal holidays.

💡 How to Apply Certified Nurse Midwife Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Certified Nurse Midwife Job

Review the full position announcement on USAJOBS and confirm eligibility requirements.
Prepare an up-to-date resume outlining relevant clinical experience, education, license details, and work hours.
Gather required supporting documents, including unofficial college transcripts, nursing licenses, and Form BIA-4432 (if claiming Indian Preference).
Click the Apply Online link to start the application through USA Staffing.
Complete the online questionnaire and attach all requested documentation prior to 11:59 PM ET on the closing date.
Monitor email and USAJOBS portal for invitations to complete mandatory USA Hire competency assessments within the specified window.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your resume explicitly details your specialized midwifery duties, weekly hours worked, and nursing license numbers.
Students expecting to graduate within 9 months can apply tentatively by providing an official letter from their school registrar along with current unofficial transcripts.
If claiming Indian Preference, submit a fully executed BIA-4432 form signed by an authorized tribal representative at the time of application.
Set aside roughly two uninterrupted hours to complete the USA Hire online assessments as soon as you receive the access invitation link.
Double-check that all uploaded documents are legible and uploaded in approved formats before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can impending nursing graduates apply for this midwife position?

Yes. Students currently enrolled in an accredited advanced practice nursing program who expect to complete their degree and licensure within 9 months of applying may qualify tentatively. They must submit official confirmation from their school registrar along with unofficial transcripts.

Is student loan repayment available for this role?

Yes. Qualifying midwives may be eligible to apply for student loan repayment programs through the IHS Loan Repayment Program, National Health Service Corps (NHSC), or HRSA Nurse Corps. These programs are awarded separately based on agency funding and priorities.

What grade levels are covered under this recruitment announcement?

This announcement covers GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12 grade levels. Applicants are evaluated based on their clinical experience, advanced degrees, and qualifications.

Are relocation bonuses offered for these positions?

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized for selected candidates. Authorized incentives usually require signing a service commitment agreement of at least six months.

What locations are currently hiring?

Vacancies exist at multiple locations, including Chinle and Whiteriver (Arizona), Browning (Montana), Belcourt (North Dakota), Gallup, Shiprock, and Zuni (New Mexico), and Pine Ridge (South Dakota).