Licensed Practical Nurse Keesler AFB, MS
Keesler Air Force Base, located on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, is the home of the 81st Training Wing, which hosts the Second Air Force (2 AF) training, and the 403rd Wing (an Air Force Reserve command).
Biloxi is the town just outside of Keesler's main gate and western Pass Road gate. It includes the waterfront hotels, casinos, and restaurants that host numerus tourists during the summer months. Some neighborhoods are historic and quiet, while others are close to the nightlife, so you will find a mixture of home styles and housing prices.
Ocean Springs is nine miles east of Keesler, across a long bridge, and is a very desirable area for family housing. With historic downtown streets, art galleries, and numerous restaurants and shopping options, you'll find most things you need in Ocean Springs.
Weather on Mississippi's Gulf Coast can be surprising! Winters are generally mild, with some days of cold temperatures that linger just above freezing, while most days just require a jacket or sweatshirt to be outdoors. Spring can be either very cold or very warm, with intense thunderstorms and flooding from heavy rains. One thing that is always consistent: the summers are hot. Temperatures from July through September are frequently in the 90's, and the muggy humidity makes it difficult to be outdoors in the afternoon. Fall can also be pleasantly mild.
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.
Responsibilities
Performs a variety of nursing assignments of a Licensed Practical Nurse for patients seeking maternity and specialized gynecology care related to routine, complicated, urgent, and emergent cases in an outpatient setting.
MAJOR DUTIES:
1. Obtains initial health data of patients with a wide range of specialized medical and surgical conditions, using observation and interviewing techniques for psychosocial and physiologic needs. Assists patients to obtain information, appointments, and follow-up using telephone or on site encounter. Assists management of patients with gestational diabetes, abnormal alpha fetal protein and/or consecutive pap results. Triages patients arriving for appointments or consults. Conducts initial interview, provides appropriate referrals and lab panels per protocol for new maternity patients. Performs electronic fetal monitoring as needed.
Observes patient's condition for changes. Documents patient information in record, computer, and logs as appropriate. Prepares patients for all types of examination, e.g draping and positioning patients for breast, abdominal, and pelvic exams. Prepares patients and assists providers with a wide variety of highly specialized procedures. Procedures may to include cystoscopy, urodynamics, cystometric, hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, loop electrocautery, cervical, vulva and vaginal biopsies, polypectomy, incision and drainage of cyst and abscesses, coagulation of bleeding lesions and biopsies; and dilatation of the cervix and vagina; sets up, operates and monitors ultrasound machine, leep, laser, and other gynecological equipment.
Prepares patients preoperatively and assists with tests and examinations. Observes and monitors unsedated [and occasional sedated] patients during and following procedures for adverse reactions to ensure safe patient care.
Administers medication via the oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical and rectal routes. Maintains current knowledge of expected and adverse effects of medications. Utilizing knowledge of pharmacology accurately administers proper medications.
2. Teaches and counsels patients and families, utilizes resources for education and specialty treatment. Provides basic nutrition advice and educational service to patients and their families for health promotion, prevention and/or detection of disease. Assists or conducts training and orientation of new staff members. Conducts classes on contraceptive techniques or sterilization. Participates in staff development, in-service, and other paraprofessional continuing education. Obtains resources for use with specific patient conditions.
3. Directs the work of others to include nursing assistants, paraprofessional students, and volunteers when necessary. Establishes and maintains contacts with specific patients seen in the clinic. Ensures follow-up visits are accomplished as needed. Assists patients with appointments, additional consults, scheduling tests.
Assembles records, pre-op, and admission forms. Assists with wide variety of computer generated and hardcopy forms, e.g. consultation, labs, x-ray, ultrasound, tissue, prescription, etc. for privileged provider. Anticipates needs of patients and staff and has materials, supplies, and equipment ready. Labels specimens, forms, envelopes, etc. accurately and forwards items promptly to appropriate site in an appropriate container. Initiates emergency measures.
Performs other duties as assigned.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:
1. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a National Agency Check with Inquiries and additional State criminal history child care check (CNACI) clearance.
2. Incumbent must be able to pass required pre-employment Physical Examination.
3. Immunization screening is required. Hepatitis B immunization and TB Screening is required for all positions with direct patient contact. Incumbent will be required to show proof of immunizations and/or obtain such immunizations.
4. This is a drug testing designated position (TDP) under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program. Signing of a DA Form 5019 (Condition of Employment for Certain Civilian Positions Identified as Critical under the Department of the Army Drug-Free Federal Workplace Program) acknowledging periodic random drug testing requirements is mandatory prior to being placed into this position. Those individuals not currently occupying a TDP position must successfully complete a pre-appointment drug test prior to being placed into this position.
5. May be required to work irregular hours to include overtime, shift work and/or work on rotating shifts if temporarily assigned to an inpatient unit or extended hour clinic to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
6. Incumbent may be required to work weekend call duties and evenings.
7. Designated Mission Essential Position: Incumbent is required to report for duty during inclement weather, Natural Disasters, and other emergency situations as directed by the Commander and may be required to remain on duty after the official shift ends, i.e., mandatory overtime; subject to recall to duty. Incumbent must maintain a functioning telephone to aid in contact during recall/emergency situations.
9. Incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certification. All Health Care Providers must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) Training and certification that is sponsored or endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA). Current Advanced Life Support or other advanced certification does not supersede BLS completion.
10. May be required to obtain and maintain Basic Electronic Fetal Monitoring certification.
11. May be assigned to other hospital clinic or inpatient areas on a temporary basis (not to exceed 30 days) if the need exists.