License Practical Nurse

Fort Belvoir, VA, United States

Overview:

This position is located at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Fort Belvoir, VA.

Fort Belvoir Community Hospital is a Department of Defense medical facility located on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, outside of Washington D.C. In conjunction with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Belvoir provides the Military Health System medical capabilities of the National Capital Region Medical Directorate (NCR MD), a joint unit providing comprehensive care to members of the United States Armed Forces located in the capital area, and their families. The facility is located on a U.S. Army installation but operates as one of the first joint service medical facilities in the U.S. military, staffed with uniformed medical personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The hospital is one of the largest medical facilities in Northern Virginia and provides all levels of inpatient and outpatient medical care. The facility maintains a 24-hour emergency department but, like most U.S. military hospitals, transfers patients in need of a trauma center to equipped civilian medical facilities. As part of federal emergency planning in the National Capitol Region, the hospital is also tasked with maintaining unique capabilities to support continuity of government operations in the event of crisis.

The $1.03 billion, 1.3 million-square-foot facility opened in August 2011, replacing Fort Belvoir's existing medical facility, DeWitt Army Community Hospital, and integrating significant portions of the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in accordance with 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act. In addition to its primary facility at Fort Belvoir, the hospital also operates the DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic (DTHC) at the Pentagon and satellite health centers in Fairfax and Dumfries, Virginia.

Fort Belvoir is a United States Army base located on 8,656 acres along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, VA. It encompasses a population of 47,000 and is well-positioned a mere 12 miles south of Washington, DC..

Fort Belvoir is home to the United States INSCOM and ARCYBER and elements of ten other Army major commands; nineteen different agencies and direct reporting units of the Department of Army; eight elements of the U.S. Army Reserve and the Army National Guard; and twenty-six Department of Defense agencies. Also located here are the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power), the U.S. Army Prime Power School, a Marine Corps detachment, a U.S. Air Force activity, U.S. Army Audit Agency and an agency from the Department of the Treasury.

The Army Historical Foundation announced in March 2017, its intent to begin the construction of the National Museum of the United States Army at Fort Belvoir. The museum, set on 84 acres (34 ha), will tell the story of the army since 1775. The 185,000-square-foot (17,200 m2) museum will feature historical galleries, an "interactive Experiential Learning Center" and the Army Theater. There will also be outdoor venues including a Memorial Garden, Amphitheater, Parade Ground and Army Trail. It opened to the public on November 11th, 2020.

Responsibilities:

As an License Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse you will:

Obtains information from patient and/or family to identify major complaints, symptoms, or reason for seeking health care. Takes all vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, pain level, height, weight, measurement of head circumference, and length); performs a behavioral health screening. 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 follow-up care, communicates relevant information according to the medical plan of care and nursing assessment, and documents accordingly in the health record.

Provides individualized nursing care to patients of all ages based upon the physicians medical care plan, the nursing assessment, and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient. Assists the physician with various examinations and diagnostic procedures. Sets up and maintains a sterile field; understands the proper positioning of patients required for various procedures. Administers oxygen, IV fluid and prescribed oral, rectal, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications. Performs inhalation treatments, finger-stick glucose, urine dipsticks, visual acuity, phlebotomy, dressing changes, and surgical instrument cleaning and packaging after use. Educates patients and family members on childcare and school requirements for children on medications. Assures accurate care and handling of specimens. Performs routine procedures, such as EKGs, eye, throat, nasal and/or wound cultures, dressing changes, ear irrigation, and application of bandages. Recognizes adverse signs and symptoms immediately and calls for assistance and if the situation warrants it, performs CPR immediately. Sets up, operates and monitors specialized equipment, such as cardiac monitor, defibrillator, etc. Assists with complete examinations dealing with the surety missions.

Screens and reviews immunization records IAW AR 40-562 and unit Standard Operating Procedures to select required immunizations, correct dosages, and routes of administration. Review requires transcription of information to medical records and official school forms. Documents administration on SF 601 and PSH 731, IAW AR 40-562 in AHLTA or manually. Administrative duties include inputting data into the computer and retrieving information such as laboratory and diagnostic procedure results. Other computer related duties include the use of the Composite Health Care System (CHCS), the completion of workload accountability documents through the Ambulatory Data System (ADS forms) on same day service and Medpros entry. Documents administration utilizing IAW Ambulatory Quality Assurance criteria.

Administers oral, intra-dermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular immunizations to all age groups IAW established protocols. Maintains accountability for actions and control of vaccines. Documents interventions and patients response to care. Communicates relevant information to healthcare team. Recognizes signs and symptoms of untoward effects of immunization and/or allergen extracts. Maintains certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support and demonstrates ability to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of an anaphylactic reaction and/or cardiopulmonary arrest.

Performs teaching to patients and/or family regarding self-care procedures and documents teaching. Instructs parents/guardians regarding normal verses adverse reactions to immunizations and treatment for normal reactions of discomfort. Reviews laboratory results and brings abnormal results to attention of physician. Per physicians instruction, telephones patient regarding follow-up required and documents in records. Performs patient education for special needs such as medication administration, inhaler and spacer use, self dressing changes, ostomy care, finger-stick and glucose meter use, drawing up and injection of insulin and glucagon, and asthma home monitoring with peak flow meters and nebulizer use. Educates patients and family members on childcare and school requirements for children on medications. Completes necessary paperwork for school (sick slips, asthma care plan, etc.), for provider signature. Also teaches patients early warning signs for early detection of diseases.

Performs both administrative and logistical tasks as a member of the healthcare team for the clinic by contributing to maintaining the environment and resources to deliver healthcare. Reviews expiration dates for medications, vaccines, and supplies; and initiates the reorder. Coordinates with designated clinic administrative staff for maintenance of adequate vaccines and supply levels. In the absence of the medical receptionist, assists with the responsibilities for checking patients into the system, completion of records and other clerical duties as assigned. Reviews laboratory results and brings abnormal results to the attention of the physician and per physicians instructions, telephones patients regarding any follow-up care that is required. Duties include the use of automated systems (i.e. Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), Composite Health Care System (CHCS), Medical Operational Data System (MODS) and the Medical Protection system (MEDPROS). Reviews chart for coding compliance and ensures all procedures are documented to obtain accurate capture of workload. Attends mandatory training as directed by supervisor or command. Will be trained in documenting adverse medication reactions in the VAERS or local system. Participates in and may coordinate performance improvement activities.

Qualifications:

US Citizenship required

Special incentives that may be authorized include: recruitment/relocation incentive; student loan repayment; and advance in-hire

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.