NURSE (CLINICAL/AMBULATORY) - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Nurse (Clinical/Ambulatory)

Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk) is an Army post located in Vernon Parish in Louisiana seven miles from Leesville, Louisiana. The city of Leesville, population 6700, is situated between Shreveport and Lake Charles. It is 63 miles to Lake Charles, Louisiana and 50 miles to Alexandria where the nearest municipal airport is located. Fort Johnson is the second largest employer in the state of Louisiana and has a huge economic impact on the entire state. The Army is situated on 198,000 acres. The Department of the Army actually owns 100,000 acres with the remaining acreage belonging to the United States Forest Service and part of the Kisatchie National Forest. The land that the post is on is both of historical and archeological value.

Living in Leesville, LA is a wonderful experience. This small city of about 6,000 people offers a unique rural charm and plenty of outdoor activities to explore. Residents can enjoy the nearby lakes and woods for fishing, camping, hiking, and all other sorts of outdoor adventures. The city also boasts numerous attractions such as the local museum, library, and performance venues, providing the community with a variety of cultural activities to take part in. There is also a wide selection of restaurants and shops that offer something for everyone to enjoy. The atmosphere in Leesville is friendly and welcoming; it's easy to make friends there!

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/

Duties

1. Performs independent, comprehensive telephone and clinical triaging, and facilitates care coordination through a multidisciplinary approach. Establishes priorities for patient care and evaluates patients’ progress toward high-level wellness. Provides patient education as an integral part of the services offered. Acts as relief nurse, triages and screens walk-in patients to assess the severity of the patient's condition and the need for provider intervention. Communicates with providers regarding determinations and situations, documents events appropriately. Screens patient charts to assess the medical history and determine health care needs. Makes psychosocial assessment of patients to identify significant cultural practices, the ability to understand and cooperate, and expectations of care and coping mechanisms. Executes or ensures the completion of orders from health care providers. Recognizes and reports abnormal test results, changes in symptoms and the need for follow-up. Records data on patient charts. Assists health care providers with examinations and procedures. Oversees educating patients for high risk, painful or stressful procedures with education and support. Monitors or ensures the monitoring of patients pre, during and post-procedure per established protocols and SOPs. Assesses post-procedure patients prior to their release from the clinic. Ensures complete, thorough documentation for all procedures. Prepares and administers oral, subcutaneous, intra-muscular and intravenous medications. Independently instructs and demonstrates to patients how to provide self-care. Instructs patient in self-medication of prescribed pharmaceutical agents. Reinforces health care provider instructions and encourages patient in the maintenance of health and self-care. Responds to emergency situations. 

2. Assists clinic with patient and staff education. Accepts consults for the education of patients in the outpatient setting. Assists with clinic orientation, and one-on-one patient, educational activities related to acute or chronic illnesses, self-care, wellness/preventive health measures, and normal development and physiology. Assesses patient’s emotional, cognitive, social and motivational status relative to education and determines their educational needs and priorities. Evaluates the effectiveness of educational activities. Ensures nursing staff competencies are initially evaluated and maintained and documented in accordance with hospital and clinic policies and nursing standards of practice. Develops appropriate nursing plans. Ensures that nursing staff maintains current licenses and certification requirements. Follows quality improvement and internal control activities for the ambulatory care setting to include risk appraisals, conducting chart reviews, identifying trends and reporting corrective actions. Ensures staff compliance with maintenance of competency folders in accordance with hospital and Joint Commission standards. Participates in hospital and clinic meetings, and performance improvement activities as assigned. 

3. Coordinates patient referrals to support services provided through the internal and external community, or the TRICARE network. Assists patient to comply with medical treatment plan as necessary through telephone contact or through clinic visits. 

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Must maintain current and valid RN license in a state, US Territory or District of Columbia.

Must maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Must maintain Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.

Maintain Neonatal Resuscitation Provider (NRP) certification.

Pre-appointment physical required.

A Childcare Background is required; must have and maintain a favorable Criminal Background Check as a condition of employment. (CNACI).