Vocational/Practical Nurse

Overview

VOCATIONAL/PRACTICAL NURSE (GS-0620-06) - Fort Cavazos, TX, Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Allergy & Immunology/Cardiology/Pulmonology Section

Fort Cavazos is located in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin, 50 miles south of Waco, 160 miles south of Dallas, and 150 miles north of San Antonio.

Founded in 1942, this 340-sq.-mile military base is the Army's Premier Installation to train and deploy heavy forces.

A 214,968 acre installation, Fort Cavazos is now the largest active duty armored post in the U.S. Armed Forces and the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

The rolling, semi-arid terrain is ideal for multifaceted training and testing of military units and individuals. Additionally, the Killeen community is a model of support for Army families. There are lots of resources and networks available to assist you.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Responsibilities

1.Collects pertinent medical, psychosocial data and initiates focused assessment by obtaining and documenting medical complaint and taking vital signs, EKG, Ankle-Brachial Index, and Pulmonary Function Testing as indicated. Assists in evaluating patient needs for appropriate health care and disposition.

Documents patients' chief complaints and other pertinent information in the health record. Documentation will also include medication reconciliation, screening tools, and behavioral health intake surveys. Participates in promoting patient compliance with health activities in accordance with RESPECT-Mil.

Coordinates and facilitates care coordination, communicates relevant information according to the medical plan of care and nursing assessment, and documents accordingly in the health record. Directs patients to the health care providers by monitoring waiting patients, determines which patients are more acutely ill, and expedites their Assists health care providers as chaperone. Monitors and provides nursing care to acutely ill patients awaiting admission to the hospital and/or transport- to -Emergency Room. Keeps current on new, changed or special requirements regarding health care in the clinic.

Receives patients after disposition by a professional care provider to determine needs for additional education or clarification of treatment protocol. Motivates patients to accept care and provides emotional support.

Assists patients and spouses/significant others in accepting their disease/illness and in promoting self-care and healthy lifestyle activities. Educates the patients regarding allergy and immunology and cardio-pulmonary disease processes. Instructs patients on Cardiac catheterization, Electrophysiology studies, Transesophageal Echo (TEE), Cardioversion, Coronary Computed Tomography Angiogram, and other Cardiac procedures conducted within the Cardiology Service.

Performs a range of procedures in accordance with established protocols to include but not limited to collecting laboratory specimens, placement of heplock access, and initiating intravenous fluids. Assists the health care providers with Echo contrast injections and Bubble Studies, Exercise Treadmill testing, and placement of Cardiac Monitors. Assists with Coumadin Point of Care Testing, device clinic checks, and continuous vital sign monitoring.

Assists in the orientation and training of support personnel. Prepares, administers, and documents oral, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications in accordance with provider's orders, Nursing Services policies and procedures, and scope of practice. Provides information on procedures, reactions, side effects, and possibility of adverse actions.

Has a working knowledge of the pathophysiology of allergic and immunology. Performs allergy skin prick testing, intradermal dilutional testing, and modified quantitative testing.

Has knowledge of the signs and symptoms of adverse reactions to allergy immunotherapy and the appropriate steps to counteract these reactions. Under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Officer in Charge (CNOIC) and providers performs allergy testing in the form of modified quantitative testing and intradermal dilutional testing. Counsels patients on allergy avoidance measures as well as the pathology of allergic disease.

Counsels patients on the safety and efficacy of allergy immunotherapy. Prepares allergy testing vials for performance of intradermal testing (IDT). Prepares patient treatment vials for both injected Allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Administers allergy immunotherapy injections and dispenses treatment vials to patients who are on sublingual immunotherapy. Monitors patients post-injection for signs and symptoms of adverse local and systemic reactions to the shots. Initiates countermeasures to adverse reactions and alerts the RN and the physician at the first signs of adverse reactions in order to expedite the prompt and proper treatment of the patient.

Assists with a variety of diagnostic procedures such as Bronchoscopies, Pleural catheter and chest tube placements, Fluoroscopies and Ultrasounds. Observe expected results of therapies, recognize emergencies and react calmly and efficiently.

Set up procedure rooms and equipment. Provide individualized patient teaching on preventive health care and health maintenance. Make initial Nursing assessments.

Monitor patients throughout procedures. Monitor patients during and after sedation. Performs various emergency procedures.

In case of cardio-pulmonary arrest or respiratory stress, initiate appropriate emergency action in accordance with emergency protocols.

Assist other medical providers during emergencies. Teach patients and family members on the use of prescribed medications and direct them to the hospital in case of an emergency.

Attend and complete all mandatory training requirements. Use terminology for describing patient reactions, patient care, and pharmacology for instructing patients and family members. Reinforces and reiterates instructions provided by the physician or other healthcare provider. Provides information for self-care and follow-up outpatient care.

Provides information and guidance on meeting the goals of independent daily living. Instructs in sound health practices, taking into account the nature of the illness, physical limitations, culture, and socioeconomic status.

2.Assists the CNOICwith monthly Performance Improvement report preparation including retrieval of patient records, data collection, monitoring laboratory frequency compliance, tallying clinic surveys, etc. Assists providers with the renewal of medications and review of laboratory test results.

Assists with the Allergy, Cardiology and Pulmonology clinic front desk operations during peak periods and when necessary. Input laboratory tests for patients per clinic protocols.

Answers the phone and generates telephone messages to appropriate healthcare provider. If indicated provides recommendations and refers to physicians as appropriate. Checks-in patients per CRDAMC clinic protocols including gathering other health insurance (OHI) data.

Notify patients of pending appointments. Utilizes Virtual Health per policy. Assist with reproductions, pull/return records, fax, file completed consults, miscellaneous reports and ensures patient's medical record is completed at the end of each visit.

Assists in general maintenance of patient care/work areas and patient care equipment to include, but not limited to: establishment and maintenance of supply levels; checking of supplies for expiration dates and replacing as needed, ordering medications for clinic, checking medications for expiration dates and replacing as needed; checking emergency equipment daily and documenting on appropriate forms; cleaning of vital signs machines, digital scale and exam tables in accordance with established policy. Maintains a clean, safe, patient care and work environment.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Basic Requirement for Vocational Nurse:Licensure: Vocational nursing program and a current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia is required.

Position requires current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below:Qualifications for the GS-06Experience: One year of nursing experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as measuring patient's vital signs, administering immunizations or medications via various routes, screening or updating patient medical records and performing routine procedures, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), pulmonary function tests, wound care, audiograms and vision screenings. This definition of nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).