Practical Nurse (Family Medicine)

Overview

This position is located at Fox Army Health Clinic, Redstone Arsenal, Hunstville, AL.

Fox Army Health Center (FAHC) provides access to quality and cost-effective primary care for patients while maintaining a state of readiness for mobilization. The mission of the health center is "Provide responsive, innovative and reliable health services, influencing health to improve readiness, save lives and advance wellness in support of the force, military Families, and all those entrusted to our care." It is striving to become the premier model of organizational and beneficiary wellness through the Army's medical community. FAHC's Patient Centered Medical Home is comprised of three teams, Blue Team, Red Team and White Team. The mission of the FAHC Blue Team is to optimize the health, well-being, and medical readiness of Soldiers. They accomplish this through our dedicated approach to Warfighter Medicine, and provide physical exams, medical readiness and deployment screenings in support of the military's wartime mission. The Red & White Team provides comprehensive medical care to the beneficiaries of FAHC, and offers a range of services including adult and family medicine as well as pediatrics and minor outpatient procedures. All TRICARE Prime patients enrolled to FAHC and assigned to this clinic will have a Primary Care Manager (PCM). TRICARE Prime patients will coordinate specialty care through their PCM, thereby ensuring continuity, timeliness and appropriateness of referrals. The Advice Nurse system is available after normal business hours. In addition to an extremely busy outpatient pharmacy service, FAHC provides laboratory and radiological service. The Behavior Health Division provides mental health treatment. The Wellness Center's functions are to provide patient and community health education and promotions, environmental health activities, and surveillance of communicable diseases.

Responsibilities

As a Practical 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 physician's 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 physician's 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 physician's 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.