NURSE (Clinical/OB-GYN)

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri is home of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School, Army Engineer School, and U.S. Army Military Police School.  Fort Leonard Wood trains and educates nearly 90 thousand troops a year.  Surprisingly, the Fort also trains Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and international students from allied nations. With more than 22,000 military members and their families, Ft Leonard Wood provides us with a diverse and well skilled population.   

Fort Leonard Wood, situated in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, is a sportsman’s paradise with some of the most beautiful scenery, hosting many large lakes, rivers, streams, and forests ideal for fishing and hunting. Fort Leonard Wood covers more than 61,000 acres located in Pulaski County with a population of nearly 52,607.  Bordering the installation to the north are the towns of Waynesville and St. Robert, with an estimated combined population of 9,170.  The installation is situated between St Louis and Springfield, Missouri 1 ½ to 2 hours respectively. Also 30 minutes equidistant between Rolla and Lebanon along I-44. It is also a great place to raise a family along with a low cost of living. 

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/

Serves as a registered nurse specialist in Inpatient Obstetrics and Maternal-Newborn provide specialized and comprehensive antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum nursing care to normal to high-risk obstetric patients. High-risk patients are characterized by the presence of real or potential complicated fetal or maternal conditions requiring continuous observation and intervention to prevent complications and maintain/restore maternal and fetal health. All high-risk/critical conditions require close observation, assessment and documentation for acute changes in patient condition. As appropriate, assumes circulation role in the operating room for scheduled and emergent cesarean-sections and cesarean-hysterectomy. Provides nursing care to patients during post-anesthesia recovery. As appropriate, serves as the OB Triage Nurse, independently or in collaboration with Provider assesses and evaluates obstetrical outpatients 20 weeks' gestation or greater presenting for care. Provides care to patients presenting for both complicated and uncomplicated pregnancy and labor concerns. Provides newborn care for vaginal deliveries, routine scheduled Cesarean and emergent cesarean sections. Implements routine or high-risk transition care protocols for normal and high-risk newborns following delivery. Possesses skills in the performance of infant respiratory tasks Performs newborn physical assessments using standardized newborn assessment tools. Nursing care provided is consistent with established professional standards, guidelines, hospital protocols, and unit-level SOPs.

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Determines and implements proper emergency interventions within scope of practice after identifying and interpreting maternal and/or fetal distress and newborns in the absence of a physician. Within given parameters, applies the knowledge of the pathophysiology of maternal or fetal disorders, identifies potential complications of pre-existing medical conditions and identifies or minimizes impact by developing or implementing strategies to prevent further compromise. Expertly recognizes and executes nursing responsibilities related to technologies utilized in caring for the normal/high risk obstetrical and newborn patient. Administers complex medications by any route as ordered within the guidelines of nursing practice. Has knowledge of adverse effects and precautions, and initiates response measures as required. Examines and assesses obstetric patients and newborns. Uses seasoned judgment in selecting the course of action in implementing physician orders and interpreting their appropriateness to the patient's present condition. Consistently utilizes advanced nursing assessment skills to identify difficult infant care problems, formulate complex plans to meet the care needs and continually revises goals and objectives according to changes in infant’s status. Administers and monitors oxygen therapy and interprets and responds to data. Operates and/or monitors the performance of sophisticated equipment used in the care of compromised neonates. Utilizes a broad knowledge of drugs and intravenous therapy, including properties, indications, dosages, rates and side effects to manage the neonate’s condition. Closely monitors and documents the infant’s response to such therapies, notifies the physician of changes in infant’s status and able to anticipate changes to plan of care. Maintains accurate, current and complete nursing records in Essentris which reflect pertinent and factual observations of the infant’s treatment and progress, plan of care, response to medications, discharge planning and follow-up. Obtains capillary and venous laboratory samples and makes interpretations based on lab reports and notifies physician of abnormal findings. Assists with circumcisions and other infant procedures.

Assists physicians and anesthesia providers with complex procedures such as insertion of internal monitors, placement of epidural catheters, placement of invasive monitoring lines (e.g., arterial, cordis), and induction of general anesthesia. Maintains invasive lines and dressings in accordance with infection control policies and procedures. Assesses patient response through sophisticated clinical observations as well as detailed data analysis and accurately reports information to the physician to ensure the highest level of patient care. Discontinues invasive lines under established guidelines.

Utilizes the nursing process to formulate a nursing plan of care relative to patients physiological, psychological, and sociological condition in order to provide ongoing and in-depth assessment of patient problems, strengths and limitations. Monitors patient condition through data collected by continuous observation and precise calculation of fluid levels and vital signs through the use of complex monitoring equipment. Applies in-depth knowledge of a large number of laboratory and other diagnostic studies. Interprets findings and reports to the physician those findings which indicate a required change in care. Based on periodic changes in maternal and fetal condition and response, determines validity/feasibility of previously written orders, writes nursing orders, and implements, evaluates and documents the effectiveness of all nursing orders. Continuously revises care plan accordingly. Develops meaningful goals to assist the normal or high-risk obstetrics (OB) patient and family to attain an optimum level of physiological and psychosocial balance within the limitations imposed by any complications or illnesses. Frequently uses crisis intervention techniques to provide constant support to the patient and family in a high stress situation and environment. Gives information on disease process, pre and post-operative care, diagnostic procedures, use of equipment related to disease/care, expected and possible adverse reactions to medications, health maintenance, and illness prevention. Makes referral of patients/family members to allied health care providers such as the community health nurse, social work, community agencies.

Serves as project officer/unit coordinator for a variety of activities designed to improve nursing care to the normal/high-risk obstetric patient (e.g., research, grief support, and educational programs). Performs assignments of an advanced nature that require considerable extended experience or training. May serve as a Lead RN and would make decisions regarding priorities for patient care for shift assignments and assign duties and delegates patient care to other registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, operating room technicians, and nursing assistants, with consideration of the difficulty and requirements of the assignment and the qualifications and capabilities of the individual.

Serves as a resource and role model for other maternal/child nurses and health care providers, including experienced and fully trained registered nurses and resident physicians. Provides orientation and on-the-job training for nursing and allied health personnel. Serves as a preceptor for all levels of nursing students. Leads patient care conferences and conducts classes as part of continuing in-service training for Labor and Delivery, Mother Baby Unit and/or OB/GYN clinic. Directs one or more unit programs such as Staff Education/Skill building, Patient Education, TeamSTEPPs, Patient Caring Touch System, Joint Commission, Infection Control, unit Standing Operating Procedures revisions and Quality Improvement.


Performs other duties as assigned.