Practical Nurse,  Tinker AFB, Oklahoma

Tinker AFB is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma City offers all of the culture, cuisine, attractions and amenities you’d expect in a modern metropolis. And with its rugged Western past, working stockyards and title as “Horse Show Capital of the World,” it’s rich in cowboy culture, as well. From family fun to romantic retreats to outdoor adventures you won’t find anywhere else, Oklahoma City has plenty of hustle without all the hassle.

Western charm goes metropolitan in Oklahoma's capital city. Oklahoma City offers plenty of interesting things to do and boasts big-league attractions, including the Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Basketball team. Guests can also explore the revitalized downtown area, starring the Bricktown Entertainment District, Paycom Center and top-notch museums, including the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Rope up some fun at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and other Oklahoma City's Adventure District destinations. Learn Oklahoma's story at the Oklahoma State Capitol and nearby Oklahoma History Center. Go kid-friendly at the Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden, Science Museum Oklahoma, Frontier City Theme Park and White Water Bay. Escape to the outdoors at the Oklahoma River & Regatta Park, Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory and Lake Hefner. Oklahoma City offers a thriving nightlife scene with concentrations of popular spots for music, dancing and drinks in the Bricktown Entertainment District, the Paseo Arts District, and Western Avenue area. The arts abound, and culture flourishes with options such as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic orchestra, the Oklahoma City Ballet, vibrant art districts and plentiful galleries, a diverse music scene that produces national stars in multiple genres, bountiful drama productions and an acclaimed arts festival that draws nearly 1 million visitors each year.

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/

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Performs or assists in the performance of a number of specialized medical and minor surgical procedures. Prepares the procedureroom and medical equipment for the procedure to be performed. Receives the patient and reviews his or her medical history. Takesand records vital signs. Uses the nursing process and participates in making nursing assessments. Prepares and positions patient forthe procedure. Begins monitoring vital signs and ensures proper use of clinic protocols as needed (i.e. throat culture, blood pressurescreening, diabetes exam, t-cons, prescription refills, etc). Closely monitors the patient's condition throughout the procedure, andreports and/or notes changes in his or her vital signs, symptoms, and general physical and emotional condition for inclusion in thepatient care plan. Observes patients changing condition, and updates patient care plans. Enters information about the patientcondition using standard medical terminology for the human body, an assessment of the condition and plan of action to carry outNursing care in GENESIS. Performs procedures such as pulse oximetry reading, visual acuity testing, electrocardiograms (EKGs)urinary catheterizations, and suctioning of trachea. Assists in performing exams, procedures, and treatments such as gynecological,gastrointestinal, respiratory, and ENT. Assists the physician in minor surgical procedures using aseptic techniques. Documents theprocedures in the patient's chart. Monitors and evaluates patient response during exams, procedures, and treatments. Collects andlabels urine, sputum, blood, and stool specimens. Obtains nasal, throat, and other cultures. Inserts and drains in-dwelling catheters,removes sutures, changes dressings, irrigates wounds, and performs venipunctures. Administers prescribed oxygen therapy. Chartsresults. Applies bandages, dressings, hot and cold packs; administers intravenous fluids, monitors and regulates their flow; cares forpatients in isolation; sets up and operates auxiliary equipment; changes dressings; applies splint material; etc. Adheres toestablished aseptic procedures to protect self, other staff members, and patients from unnecessary exposure to infectious agents.Cleans and prepares equipment for sterilization. Disposes of infectious and hazardous waste materials in accordance with establishedprocedures. Performs a variety of cleric l and associated nursing duties in assigned clinical setting. Directly assist Force HealthManagement in identifying and educating patients with known infectious and contagious communicable diseases. Assists the ReferralManagement department by requesting off base notes for Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) to make determination of active-dutymember's fit for duty status, faxes patient information to off base providers, completes telephone consults, manages triage call reportsheets, places needed patient referrals in GENESIS with direction of provider. Schedules radiology appointments, manages frontdesk/appointment lines when needed, notifies patients of lab results, schedules/ reschedules patients as needed. Screens patientrecords one day prior to appointments for preventive medical needs, additional required labs tests, etc. Retrieves laboratory andradiological results and assists in maintaining workload data. Participates in Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) team as teammember. PCMH is a Department of Defense program for delivering high quality, safe care to our beneficiaries. Participate in dailyclinical team huddles as required in PCMH guide with providers to review staffing assignments and internal procedures and ensuresteam huddles occur daily and are documented instruct patients on prevention screening measures by researching during recordreview process and notifying patient of needed examinations during patient visit; updates patient's medical records in AHLTA andmonitors Care point Portal reports to ensure all patients current with preventive case (e.g. diabetic patients with A1C and lipid tests,mammography and paps, colorectal screening, asthma medications, etc.) and ensures follow-up appointments are scheduled prior topatient leaving. Inputs medical profiles for Physical Therapy, assists Disease Management nurses with screenings and procedures, and assists with end of day medical coding for providers. Monitors active-duty military members' deployment restricting medicalconditions to ensure medical needs are met and addressed appropriately. Monitors the deployment log monthly and initiates contactwith patients to ensure they have received follow-up care. Documents and updates medical record and provider of current status orany changes in medical condition. Checks patient's deployment readiness status in ASIMS, and instructs patient of required actions,and documents in the GENISIS note. Employee plans and carries out assignments independently in accordance with previous training,instructions, accepted nursing practices, and patient plan of care.

2. Administer prescribed medications. Prepares and administers prescribed medications within established scope of practice nursing.Incumbent prepares and administers medications via oral, sublingual, intramuscular, intradermal, "piggy-back" IVs, and subcutaneousroutes; monitors patients for reactions to medication and takes appropriate action; calculates dosages and documents administration;maintains currency in pharmacology and drug therapy; uses identification precautions to ensure correct medications are administeredto specified patients; participates in patient care planning; etc. Monitors patients for desired action and adverse reactions tomedications and takes appropriate action. Calculates dosages and documents administration. Administers medication via oral,sublingual, intramuscular, intradermal, "piggy-back" IVs, and subcutaneous routes. Maintains knowledge current in pharmacology anddrug therapy. Uses identification precautions to ensure correct medications are administered to specified patients. Reports andrecords facts about patient's progress. Reinforces instructions, previously given by nurse and/or doctor that provide information forself care and follow-up. Calculates dosages and administers medications by oral, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous, andintramuscular routes. Ensures and documents compliance of patient safety rights for medication administration are followed prior tomedication administration. Initiates intravenous fluids and monitors, regulates, and discontinues their usage. Observes and promptlynotifies nurse and/or physician of adverse physical and emotional reactions to the medications. Ensures patient is offered/providedmedication list. Informs patient of medication effects and purpose. Document actions in provider notes.

3. Performs emergency procedures. Follows emergency protocols, e.g., natural disasters and security threats. Attends "emergencyprocedures" training as required. Demonstrates uses of emergency equipment. Obtains crash cart when needed. Recognizes life-threatening conditions and performs or assists in resuscitation procedures in cardiac or respiratory arrest for critically ill patients.Observes and keeps alert to information displayed on cardiac monitors. When needed, takes emergency action. e.g., hooking updefibrillator or oxygen mask or initiating standing orders as established, and calls the nurse or physician. Closely observesrespiration; maintains and facilitates ventilation. Observes and reports to the nurse signs of dyspnea, cyanosis, anxiety, bleedingthrough or around the tubes, etc. Administers prescribed medications and observes patient for desired action and adverse reaction.Assists the physician with the setup and insertion of endotracheal and oropharyngeal airways. Provides first aid in accordance withemergency protocols for critically ill patients. Initiates and maintains cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) measures if first on thescene, until additional responders arrive. Furnishes physicians and nurses with requested supplies. Monitors the patient's heart and-respiration rate. Observes a patient's physical and emotional reactions to medical care and documents such observations in patientcharts. 20%
4. Conducts patient and staff teaching. Trains and assists with teaching and training as needed using knowledge of nursing principles,pharmacology, EKG functions, insertion techniques, universal precautions, principles of infection control, and human behavior; skill inuse of monitors and equipment; recognizing deviations from nonanal; and observing and identifying the patient's physical andemotional problems. Using such knowledge and skill, employee provides teaching and training to newly assigned personnel; teachesand notifies patients of necessary preparation and medication to be administered prior to treatment; assists in skills upgrade training;identifies and explains useofspecialii.cd equipment and supplies; participates in development and implementation of nursing careplans; documents instructions provided and patient's responses; participates in patient/family education, individualized patientteaching; etc. Assists in skills upgrade training. Identifies and explains use of specialized equipment and supplies. Provides clinic in-service training. May instruct patient/family on home care, medication, and treatment prescribed by the physician. Utilizes visual aidsand demonstration techniques to facilitate learning.

Documents instruction provided and patient's response. Teaches patients and family members how patients should perform simpletests for themselves, e.g., blood sugar, hypertension, or urine. Provides orientation to new clinical staff personnel and ensures-newstaff understands and can operate in PCMH. Ensures new Airman and civilian staff members arc familiar with policies and procedureto ensures safe work environment or staff and patients. Certifies initial orientation using the clinical orientation checklists andprovides feedback to clement supervisors on status of training. Educates patients and family members of PCMH principles andoperations. Maintains positive interpersonal relations with patients, families, and staff. Communicates effectively, establishing asupportive relationship with staff, patients and family members. Shows awareness of total unit activity by supporting group goals.Provides verbal updates to patients regarding status of care. Attends customer service in services and training, as assigned.

Performs other duties as assigned.