NURSE (Clinical/Emergency Department)

Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri is home of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School, Army Engineer School, and U.S. Army Military Police School.  Fort Leonard Wood trains and educates nearly 90 thousand troops a year.  Surprisingly, the Fort also trains Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and international students from allied nations. With more than 22,000 military members and their families, Ft Leonard Wood provides us with a diverse and well skilled population.   

Fort Leonard Wood, situated in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, is a sportsman’s paradise with some of the most beautiful scenery, hosting many large lakes, rivers, streams, and forests ideal for fishing and hunting. Fort Leonard Wood covers more than 61,000 acres located in Pulaski County with a population of nearly 52,607.  Bordering the installation to the north are the towns of Waynesville and St. Robert, with an estimated combined population of 9,170.  The installation is situated between St Louis and Springfield, Missouri 1 ½ to 2 hours respectively. Also 30 minutes equidistant between Rolla and Lebanon along I-44. It is also a great place to raise a family along with a low cost of living. 

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. Provides Emergency Department (ED) clinical nursing care to patients of any age group. Performs triage, while considering both physical and psychosocial elements. Must quickly assess incoming patients and prioritize patient care based on need, available staffing, and patient acuity. Works as part of a team in the ED and independently manages basic life support needs and stabilizes patients until the physician or provider is available, based upon professional nursing standards and protocol.

Provides comprehensive nursing care to patients presenting for urgent or emergent care using knowledge of professional nursing theories, principles, and procedures; knowledge of clinical skills to provide specialized services to patients; knowledge of emergency and resuscitative measures; knowledge of triage; knowledge of pharmaceuticals sufficient to mix and administer special, potent, and potentially lethal drugs. Observes, monitors, and assesses patient's condition; recognizes, identifies, and interprets serious situations; determines and implements proper emergency measures; performs various pulmonary ventilation functions; operates and monitors highly complex technical equipment, (e.g. cardiac monitors, ventilators, various intravenous infusion pumps, and defibrillators) and documents appropriately in the health record. Independently reacts to emergencies, collaborates with physician, makes changes in nursing care plans, assesses patient's condition, and implements nursing care plans.

Teaches, onboards, and mentors professional and paraprofessional nursing staff, assisting with complex nursing and diagnostic procedures. Responds to all emergencies during the shift. Responsible for advanced cardiac life support code team management until arrival of physician or provider. Team teaches advanced clinical skills and monitors junior nursing personnel multiple phases of instruction. Continuously observes for safety hazards ensuring immediate action to resolve/correct. Acts as facilitator to mediate complaints and concerns of patients, family members and staff, taking immediate action to resolve or refer to a higher authority.

Interviews and takes medical histories, to acquire medically necessary information to assess physical and mental status of patient. Collects current symptoms, as well as a detailed patient history, and then consults and coordinates with health care team members to assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care plans. Initiates patient education plan. Teaches patients and significant others how to manage their illness/injury, by explaining: subsequent inpatient plan, post-treatment home care needs, diet/nutrition/exercise programs, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation, as well as explanation of referrals to other healthcare professionals for follow-up treatment. Provides evidence-based instructions and education to patient/significant other and/or family members/caregivers. Performs adapted patient teaching with patients requiring special approaches or preferences and documents education provided.

Serves as a resource person for nurses and other health care providers to consult when particularly difficult problems in the care of patients arise. Serves as role model to experienced emergency and other nurses as well as those who are not fully trained. Provides guidance and leadership to other professional nurses and paraprofessional personnel, assisting with complex nursing and diagnostic procedures. Provide orientation and on-the-job training for such personnel.

2. Manages the delivery of nursing care for weekend, holidays, training holidays and day/evening or night shifts using knowledge of an extensive range of professional nursing theories, principles, and procedures. Identifies and recommends strategies to improve nursing unit organization, functions. Manages the delivery of nursing care, utilizing knowledge of an extensive range of professional nursing theories, principles, and procedures. Functions as a charge nurse on a rotational bases and determines staffing requirements/mix and appropriateness of bed utilization based on analysis of patient acuity data; plans, delegates, and directs nursing care based on patient care requirements and staff skill levels; evaluates and modifies plan of care based on continuous assessment of patient needs and expected outcomes; collaborates with providers to facilitate the appropriate medical management of patients; and effectively directs patient care and unit activity. Consults with the supervisor and jointly shares in decisions; resolves most conflicts, and coordinates with other team members.

3. Conducts and participates in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of facility, departmental, or unit-based programs. Continuously evaluates procedures/practices occurring in the emergency department to ensure quality patient care, recommending changes or implementation of nursing service policies and procedures when applicable. Recommends strategies to improve nursing unit organization and functions utilizing evidence-based practice (EBP). Work will influence policy and procedural documents in accordance with national standards, best practices, and emerging evidence. Identifies, implements and/or monitors quality and, process assurance/improvements, and EBP. Initiates action to improve the delivery of patient care; interprets and ensures compliance with established policies, procedures, and standards of care and practice; coordinates and collaborates with interdisciplinary team to develop strategies to improve services; etc.

Participates in continuing education programs to update and/or maintain skills and knowledge to meet annual requirements. Participates in department and unit-level simulation/emergency drills, staff meetings, in-services/briefings, and in continuing quality and process improvement measures. Uses current research findings and other evidence to expand professional knowledge, enhance role performance, and increase knowledge of professional emergency nursing. Completes all training requirements designated by facility, supervisor, DHA, or accrediting agencies; participates in continuing education programs to update and/or maintain skills and knowledge to meet licensing requirements.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.