Practical Nurse (Occupational Health) - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Practical Nurse (Occupational Health, Fort Knox, KY

Located just 40 miles from Louisville and 17 miles from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Fort Knox encompasses some 190,000 acres in three, beautiful Kentucky counties.  Fort Knox has a population of over

40,000 soldiers, family members, and civilian employees.  There are many sightseeing/recreational opportunities in the Fort Knox area and the cost of living in this area is very reasonable.  Sightseeing and recreational opportunities include Churchill Downs (site of the Kentucky Derby), the Louisville Slugger Museum, the Muhammad Ali Center, the Kentucky Center of Performing Arts, the Louisville Bats baseball team (a triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds), world famous bourbon distilleries, first-rate hunting and fishing sites, and sweeping, scenic hiking trails and driving tours.  Nearby Louisville International Airport offers nonstop service to more than 20 destinations and convenient connections to cities worldwide.  For the driver, Fort Knox is just a short drive from Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, KY; Cincinnati, OH; Indianapolis, IN; and Nashville, TN.

https://home.army.mil/knox/index.php

https://ireland.tricare.mil/

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/

The purpose of this position is to provide nursing care for patients at Occupational Health Clinic-Warren Michigan. Incumbent performs a variety of tasks including screening tests, worksite evaluations, immunizations, reviewing medical information, teaching, training, treatment procedures and nursing care to adult employees who present to the clinic for scheduled encounters or treatment of work related injuries or illnesses. Work is evaluated on the basis of job description, additional duties, annual competence review and daily performance of administrative and technical nursing duties. Specialized certification is required for multiple job requirements.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Serves as an Occupational Health Technician for the Occupational Health Section, Preventive Medicine Service, performing a variety of technician duties in support of the Occupational Health Program (OHP). Responsible for coordinating and assisting in the administration of special emphasis programs. Performs services at the clinic, the worksite and unit designations as directed. Services may focus on education regarding occupational hazard, or medical surveillance to facilitate early detection of adverse outcomes associated with the occupational environment. Utilizes appropriate interview skills to collect data. Provides comprehensive nursing care based on employee’s physical and emotional condition. Describes the employee in writing to include all of the following: occupational history, reason for visit, hazards in work environment, physical appearance, emotional status, employee’s knowledge of work duties, personal protective equipment (PPE), compliance with use of PPE and the employee’s actions/responses. Performs independent nursing care functions, determine what needs to be done, systematic review and study of the patients histories, present conditions, and care plans. Detects deviations from normal, independently requires coordination of nursing care with patient needs.

2. Utilizes diagnostic tools, e.g., audiometer, spirometer, vision screener, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, peak flow meter, tele-medicine equipment etc., to obtain and/or validate observations. Assists physician/provider/registered nurse and/or performs a range of specialized and therapeutic procedures using knowledge of nursing principles, using aseptic technique, on occasion may perform venipuncture for collection of blood. Employee administers simple medications via oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, topical, and respiratory routes. Participates in individual and group teaching and training. Participates in teaching employees safe work practices, proper use of personal protective equipment, reporting work related injuries and illnesses, self and buddy-care; use of medications, diet, exercise, etc. per provider order. Interacts with employees via telephone for health related questions. Documents employee’s subjective/objective response to various nursing interventions. Recognizes changes in employee’s condition. Communicates responses and/or changes to others to include all of the following: employee, employee’s supervisor, other nursing personnel, physicians and members of multidisciplinary teams. In the event of emergencies performs CPR and prepares patient for transport to higher echelon of care.

3. Assist with preparation and updates of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the Occupational Health Program. Maintains office files IAW regulations. Always maintains confidentiality of office information files and medical records with attention to the Privacy Act, HIPAA and Security procedures. Maintains and inputs data into automated databases and systems as related to the Occupational Health Program, IAW DoD, DHA, DA, , MEDCOM, APH, OPM, and MEDDAC. Assist other staff members with automation related issues. Demonstrated ability to utilize complex automation systems related to Individual Medical Readiness (IMR), AHLTA, MEDPROS/MODS and local automated systems. Assists with portions of the physical examinations to include chronic disease surveillance, blood borne pathogens surveillance, latex sensitivity, blood drawing assist provider in completing civilian deployment physicals, performs deployment immunizations, documenting immunizations in both AHLTA and in MEDPROS and other required physical assessments IAW standards. Performs procedures within the scope of practice as related to job requirements.

4. Performs independent nursing care functions, determine what needs to be done, systematic review and study of the patients' histories, present conditions, and care plans. Provides teaching and training to newly assigned personnel; assists in skills upgrade training; identifies and explains use of specialized equipment and supplies; participates in development and implementation of professional presentations. Liaison with Industrial Hygiene (IH) in identifying workplace operations and surveillance for potential high risk industrial and non-industrial environments. Assist with conducting surveys and work site evaluations. Utilize health hazard assessments that are provided by IH for medical surveillance. The increasing number and complexity of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear & environmental (CBRNE) agents in the DOD workplace makes it imperative to disseminate basic information & education regarding actual or potential hazards. Performs Public Health Nursing functions as directed by clinic supervisor.

Performs other duties as assigned

US Citizenship required

May be authorized student loan repayment, recruitment  incentive, relocation, retention

A current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

At least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job.