Practical Nurse (Surgical), Madigan AMC- Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Tacoma, WA

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

Joint Base Lewis-McChord, its affiliated clinics and dental clinic are located at Fort Lewis, Washington, near the city of Tacoma. Madigan AMC is one of only three designated Level Two trauma centers within the U.S. Medical Command.

Tacoma is a progressive city of 200,000 nestled between Seattle and the state capital of Olympia. The region offers the attractions of larger metropolitan areas, with a hometown feel. World-class museums, hotels and theaters draw thousands to downtown Tacoma while the shores of the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier inspire outdoor enthusiasts. The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Chihuly Bridge of Glass, Emerald Downs Racetrack, Emerald Queen Casino, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum, Lakewold Gardens, and the Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad represent a small sampling of the region's varied entertainment options. The city offers excellent schools, universities, parks, festivals and regional shopping centers.

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
Madigan Army Medical Center
Joint Base Lewis McChord

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/

Duties:

This position serves as a Licensed Practical Nurse (Surgical) in a Defense Health Agency (DHA) Medical Treatment Facility (MTF). The role involves providing nursing care to patients with various conditions and of all ages in specialty surgical, pre-and post-operative, and outpatient settings.

1. Medication Administration:

Prepares and administers prescribed medications by oral, topical, intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular routes; administers prescribed oxygen and respiratory therapy treatments as needed and when ordered by clinic provider. Initiates IV's; regulates flow rate and monitors prescribed IV fluids; Prepares patients for and administers medications or immunizations and monitors them afterwards for signs of complication or reaction; administers Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other resuscitative measures. Takes vital signs, draws blood; collects and prepares specimens such as routine urine, stool, sputum and cultures for laboratory analysis and follows up with lab results.

2. Surgical Patient Care:              

Assists physicians during diagnostic, therapeutic and/or minor to complex surgical procedures of patients in various conditions, including those in a critically ill status and/or under anesthetic for surgical procedures. Prepares necessary supplies and equipment; drapes, positions, monitors patient condition and holds the patient in position, and hands instruments and supplies to the physician during the procedure. Performs procedures within the scope of practice such as applying hot and cold packs, electrocardiograms, extensive sterile dressing application and packing, wound and burn care, bladder catheterization, enemas, suture, ear washes, cardiac monitoring, caring for patients in isolation, or gastric lavage/manometry examinations. Ensures completion and adherence to all administrative requirements for in-clinic surgical procedures to include completion of iMED Consents initiated by provider and completion of timeout process prior to procedure start.   

3. Pre-and-Post-Operation Patient Care:

During post-op recovery, the incumbent monitors vital signs and IVs for patients in various conditions, including critically ill patients or those under anesthetic. Administer medications until the patient stabilizes and observe, identify, report, and record changes in patients' objective signs, subjective symptoms, and physical and emotional status. Promptly assess and independently take actions to alleviate problems reflected in subtle changes in the patient's condition, such as dizziness or a slight rise in temperature, following previous training, instructions, policies, accepted nursing practices, and assigned patient care plans. Complete pre and post pain assessments on patients who undergo consenting procedures in the clinic. Provide written and verbal reports regarding patient care for inclusion in the patient's care plan and medical record, in accordance with appropriate nursing care and prescribed medical treatment. Measure and record vital signs such as height, weight, and temperature.

Assess the patient's nursing care plan and observe patients’ responses or behaviors to ensure that nursing procedures and treatments are not causing additional stress. Independently modify the care plan as the patient's emergent condition warrants and notify the attending medical provider of the modification. Prepare patients for tests, examinations, treatment, or minor surgery, assist patients as needed, and provide for comfort and safety. Regulate patient flow and direct/transport patients to x-ray rooms or other treatment locations in the MTF. Instruct patients and/or family members in sound health practices and the integration of the patient care plan, taking into account injury/illness, physical limitations, culture, and socioeconomic status. Provide pre/postoperative instructions prior to release, teach patients warning signs for early detection of diseases, and instruct patients and family on the use of prescribed medications, contraindications, and the value of proper follow-up self-care. Prepare and conduct in-service training.

4. Auxiliary Duties and Training: 15%  

Performs a variety of auxiliary nursing duties connected with patient care such as checking operational status of emergency equipment, ensuring sterile condition of surgical, examination and treatment instruments, tools and devices and maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly work environment by applying knowledge of infection control measures and aseptic techniques. Completes additional duties as mandated and directed by the local command related to environmental safety, to include weekly flushing of pipes/logs, audits for hand hygiene, safety inspections, etc. Maintains adequate supplies in patient care areas, labels specimen, completes laboratory requests, obtains patient records, retrieves x-ray and laboratory reports, monitors stockage level and expiration dates of available medications/vaccines and replenishing, when required. Uses AGFA to electronically transmit radiology diagnostic studies from the Multi-Service Market and other facilities into the radiological system for provider viewing. Provides technical direction to lower graded personnel (i.e., nursing assistants). Assists in planning and providing ongoing continuing education courses within the section/unit. Assists in planning, developing, and implementing quality assurance (QA) initiatives.

Performs other duties as assigned.