Advanced Practice Nurse (Psychiatric)      Joint Base San Antonio

Time to invest in some new footwear because if you’re San Antonio-bound, you’d better show up in boots! The Alamo City is one of the military’s most envied postings and is often referred to as “Military City USA”. Low cost of living, affordable homes, and the lack of state tax on retirement income are a few financial perks to living and retiring in this Texas city. A robust job market that seems partial to government and defense/security contracting ensures employment opportunities for spouses or transitioning service members. San Antonio is the country’s seventh fastest growing city yet has somehow managed to retain a “small town feel.” Quality schools and friendly locals (most with military ties) are additional  perks to living in San Antonio.

Some things you should know before you get here: trucks are the norm (the bigger, the better), love for The Spurs (NBA) runs deep, the H-E-B obsession is real (it’s a grocery store), rodeos are life, and don’t call it “San Antone”—that’s just wrong. The community boasts a vibrant Hispanic population, and enhances everything from the food, to the music, to community events. You don’t necessarily need to speak Spanish to get around, but you’d better know how to say barbacoa, tamales, and cascarones.

Name brand shopping (IKEA is the latest arrival of note), restaurants, and all variety of entertainment all add to San Antonio’s quality of life. SeaWorld, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and downtown museums are all fun outings for kids and families. Tube or kayak down a river, play or fish in the lakes, or relax by San Antonio’s famous downtown River Walk. Museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks—remember The Alamo?—round out San Antonio’s cultural offerings. Tex-mex cuisine arguably originated here, and some up and coming culinary trendsetters are making a name for themselves in the Pearl District downtown, alongside several notable breweries.

San Antonio has over 300 days of sunshine with some hot summers, mild winters and pleasant spring and fall seasons. San Antonio is in Bexar County (it’s pronounced “BEAR”) in south central Texas, and is just south of the gorgeous Hill Country. It’s only about two hours from Austin, the beach, or the desert.

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.

Incumbent performs full range of advanced practice nursing care for treating beneficiaries (children, adolescents, and adults) requesting behavioral health services. The services may be performed on site at the clinic by qualified individuals or by referral to an appropriate network provider. The position requires an individual who can utilize all the skills of an advanced practice nurse to provide comprehensive care in a busy clinic. The incumbent will evaluate new patients, gather histories, discuss goals with patients, and implement mutually agreed upon solutions. The advanced practice nurse will prescribe medications, educate patients about risks and benefits, probe for side effects, and monitor progress, always striving to meet the patients' needs. This position functions at an expanded level of responsibility by combining services of the professional nurse and the physician within the framework of mutually established medical guidelines. This position is involved in primary care which is the care of patients at the point of contact with the health care service or the continued care of ambulatory patients.

1. Performs psychiatric intakes and evaluations, prescribes medications. Incumbent works closely with other members of the total treatment team in the formulation of the total care plan for patients. Provides comprehensive nursing care for any type of psychiatric patient. Observes patients closely, evaluating and recording any significant behavior and reaction patterns. Screens for and addresses side effects or other medication problems, monitors efficacy, responding as needed.

2. Meets or exceeds quality care standards, achieves clinical excellence, contributes to quality improvement, and strives for high patient satisfaction. Incumbent participates actively in the quality improvement system, to comply with all appropriate Joint Commission standards and National Patient Safety goals, and other quality improvement projects.

3. Maintains appropriate records using a computerized record keeping and coding system.

4. Works closely with primary care and other providers in accepting referrals, providing feedback, and sending referrals as needed.

5. Provides feedback and advice to unit commanders and other leaders regarding the well-being of their soldiers.

6. Presents patient cases and classes for patient care conferences and academic institutions. Serves in a leadership position and is recognized as a consultant and role model to other health care professionals both within, and outside, the institution. Acts as a preceptor to graduate students enrolled in psychiatric nurse practitioner programs. Develops and/or conducts in-service education programs for other health care professionals. Serves as advisor/member of committees as needed.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS NEEDED.

Basic Requirements:

US Citizenship required

Position requires current, active, valid, and unrestricted license from a one of the 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia or U.S. territories.

Position requires current Basic Life Support certification and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification by the American Heart Association (AHA).

If assigned to unit which cares for the pediatric patient, required to pass Child Background investigation.

Pre-employment physical required.