Practical Nurse

Overview

Licensed Practical Nurse - Ft Campbell, KY

 

Occupying a generous portion of the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, Fort Campbell supports the fourth largest military population in the Army (and the 7th largest in the Department of Defense). The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 5th Special Forces Group, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment all call this base home. The Sabalauski Air Assault School (famed for being the “10 toughest days in the Army”), the Pathfinder Course, Rappel Master, and FRIES/SPIES Master are just a few of the other schools and qualification courses available at Fort Campbell.

 

A majority of Fort Campbell is located in Tennessee, but the post office that serves the base is just across the Kentucky border, giving on post residents and the installation itself the designation of being located in Kentucky. Clarksville, TN and Hopkinsville, KY are the two larger towns that serve the base. The base boasts modern facilities including a huge new commissary, parks, splash pads, a Starbucks, and updated housing.

 

Clarksville is growing, but keeps a mindful eye on preserving its history and “small town” feel. It’s only about 40 minutes north of Nashville, and some areas between the two cities are gaining popularity for being “bedroom communities” for Nashville (ie. where you go to sleep). The low cost of living, home prices, and absence of state income tax are all perks to living in Tennessee. You get the rural, country lifestyle, but with the option of a thriving metro area just a short drive down I-24. Kentucky towns offer the same beautiful rolling hills, sprawling farms, and gracious Southern hospitality as Tennessee, but with a bit more land and a greater horse to person ratio. Into organic produce, pastured beef and forested pork?  (It’s a thing — we checked!) You can actually get to know your farmer or rancher, if you’re so inclined! The Nashville music scene bleeds into Clarksville, influencing the caliber of music at festivals, community concerts, karaoke bars, and even church ensembles. Austin Peay University provides an abundance of cultural, sporting, and community events. Parks, shopping, dining, wineries, breweries and entertainment options round out the fairly solid amenities that you’ll find here.

 

 

 

The local communities are friendly, laid back, markedly blue collar and love their military! The customs and values are a perfect representation of the “Bible Belt” on which it lies, so don’t make plans for a Sunday without checking if a business is open. Being central to most of the United States makes travel convenient.

 

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/  

 

Responsibilities

Duties

 

1. Provides general support to the Nurse Case Management section as identified needs arise. Demonstrates proficiency in application of managed care concepts to affect quality outcomes for all patient activities, to include the provision of emotional and physical comfort and safety of all patients with caseload 100-150 patients/families.

Assesses the soldier’s/families status at intake, throughout care cycle and at disposition, monitoring for changes in conditions. Documents observations and all pertinent data regarding the physical and emotional status of patients/families. Pertinent clinical data may include but is not limited to laboratory and radiology reports, consults, medication regimens, etc., and other pertinent information from the civilian and military institutions required to direct medical care to the most quality efficient setting. Collaborates with members of the health care team to assess, plan, execute and evaluate the care of patients. Teaches patients on case management concepts and other aspects of medical care as appropriate. Identifies and understands the implications of acute and chronic conditions affecting medical readiness status and retention and the potential long term effects of trauma.

Observes and reports specific physical and behavioral signs and symptoms indicative of change in patient’s conditions. Identifies problems and conducts interventions as prescribed and within scope of practice. Recognizes critical conditions that require tracking of line-of-duty status and Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) processing.

Assists in coordinating and obtaining services and resources needed by the patient or the patient’s family to ensure adherence to prescribed care regimens according to best practices. Participates in individual patient’s plan of care to include patient teaching regarding medication regimens (side effects, interactions, etc.), wound/dressing care, durable medical equipment or other assistive devices, expectations for healing, etc. Uses interpersonal skills when communicating and coordinating with service members’ unit point of contact, other clinical areas, patient administration service, hospital/clinic schedulers, civilian hospitals and other types of treatment facilities to meet health care needs of service members.

2. Provides administrative assistance to include maintenance of files, faxing of documents and booking of appointments. Inputs data into the computer and maintains a computer based information record to include database management. Prepares reports on patient’s condition and compiles data into computerized system for outcomes tracking. Maintains proficiency in computer and communication skills and recognizes sensitivity of information obtained. Coordinates with administrative and unit command structure to provide current status of patient’s healthcare and administrative status in the form of administrative reports or tracking mechanisms as appropriate per established regulations, policies and guidelines.

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens Basic Requirement for a Practical Nurse/Vocational Nurse: Licensure: A current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia; OR must have applied for a license to practice. Applications of candidates possessing a license must be accompanied by a certified or photostatic copy of the license, a notarized statement attesting to the fact, or a citation of the license number and State issuing it. Non-licensed candidates who have completed their training may be appointed subject to obtaining the required license during the probationary period. Those not licensed must furnish the date on which they applied for a license and the jurisdiction involved. No person appointed pending licensure may be retained beyond the probationary period if licensure has not been attained.In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirement listed below: Experience required: One year of nursing experience in a hospital, outpatient clinic, nursing home, or other supervised medical, nursing, or patient care facility that provided a practical knowledge of human body structure and sterile techniques and procedures, performing such duties as providing obstetrical nursing care to patients, measuring patient's vital signs, administering immunizations or medications via various routes and performing routine procedures, such as catheter insertion, sterile dressing changes or operating fetal heart rate monitors. This definition of nursing experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-05).