NURSE (ICU)

Overview

Tripler Army Medical Center is seeking a Nurse (ICU) to join our growing team!  

 

 

  

At Tripler, you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunities. Our staff serves by caring for our military but are not subject to military requirements. We operate within safe staffing standards - giving you time to provide exceptional care. 

 

Also known as the “big pink building on the hill”, Tripler is a 450 bed, Level II Trauma facility and participates in unique partnerships with civilian facilities to provide care to non-beneficiary trauma victims. 

 

Want to hear what it’s like to work at Tripler? Check it out: https://youtu.be/b6E1XBHlEyc 

 

In addition to salary, employees will receive an 8.9% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA); subject to change.   

 

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

The primary purpose of this position is to utilize the nursing process to care and counsel individuals in the promotion and maintenance of health and the prevention of illness and injury to critically ill patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). This Registered Nurse (RN) will use evidenced-based practice (EBP) and systematic critical thinking to guide data gathering, assessment, nursing judgement, intervention, and evaluation of the human response to actual and potential health problems through actives such as teaching, counseling, and the provision of care to support and restore life or support a peaceful death. The incumbent will identify patient needs using the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Synergy Model. He or she will delegate, coordinate, and manage all aspects of nursing care provided to the patient, their family, and all members of the health care team. The RN supports the learning, development, and growth of all members of the healthcare team. Potential assignment areas include, but are not limited to, an adult, surgical, medical, trauma, burn, cardiac, vascular, neuro, or mixed adult intensive care. Although assigned to a primary intensive critical care unit, incumbent may be assigned to another critical care unit or perform duties at another unit (for example, step down units, post anesthesia care unit, telemetry units, or emergency department) within the MTF.

 

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Provides comprehensive professional nursing care to critically ill patients in an Adult ICU. Provides comprehensive nursing care for acutely ill and/or critically ill patient populations including children and adolescents (who meet facility admission criteria), adults and geriatrics in an intensive care environment with potential life-threatening health problems and require continuous observation and intervention to prevent complications and maximize or restore health. Assesses nursing needs and develops and implements a Plan of Care for each patient consistent with recognized professional nursing standards, evidence-based practice, and augmented with prescribed medical care. Responds decisively to life-threatening changes in patient condition, providing immediate and appropriate emergency measures, according to professional nursing practice standards and/or established protocols, dependent upon age group and critical care area assigned. Contributes to the medical examination of patients by observing, recognizing, recording, and reporting changes in patients' conditions, subjective and objective symptoms, patient reaction to medications and patient response to therapy and treatment modalities. Administers a wide variety of medication to include rapid-acting, highly potent, and potentially lethal medications via various routes in accordance with hospital safety protocols (e.g., Bar Code Medication Administration or care bundles). Incumbent possesses broad knowledge of medications and intravenous therapy to include side effects, dosage, indications, and properties. Provides for safekeeping and accurate accounting of controlled drugs and narcotics in accordance with Defense Health Agency (DHA), MTF, and department guidance. Accompanies and assists provider with complex and potentially life-threatening procedures such as the insertion of arterial and venous catheters, chest tubes, and endotracheal tubes. Initiates life saving measures such as advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Sets up, operates, administers, and monitors sophisticated technical equipment such as cardiac monitors, ventilators, various intravenous infusion pumps, defibrillators, equipment required for peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), EKGs, cardiac monitor, oxygen analyzers, hemodynamic monitoring equipment and so on, depending on setting. Interprets and responds to complex technology data generated by such equipment. Works without direct supervision once competency assessment and credentialing objectives are met. Maintains a safe environment for patients and all other hospital employees. Responds to emergencies, codes, or rapid response team activities throughout the facility.

2. Teaches, mentors, precepts, and onboards professional and paraprofessional nursing staff, including potential trainees from various nursing programs (nurse transition program, critical care fellowship, practical nursing) and new staff. Supports teammates growth and development. Teaches advanced clinical skills and monitors junior nursing personnel with complex nursing and diagnostic procedures. Responds to all emergencies during the shift. Responsible for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) or pediatric advanced life support (PALS) code team. Participates in advanced cardiac life support code team in unit and throughout MTF. Participates in rapid response team, providing advanced nursing care and critical care expertise throughout the MTF. Continuously observes for potential safety hazards, ensuring immediate action to resolve/correct, as needed. Incumbent is a facilitator to mediate complaints and concerns of patients, family members and staff, taking immediate action to resolve or refer to a higher authority. Serves as a resource person, with whom nurses, and other health care providers consult, when particularly difficult problems in the care of patients arise. Provides guidance and leadership to professional nurses and paraprofessional personnel, assisting with complex nursing and diagnostic procedures.

 

3. Manages the delivery of nursing care, utilizing knowledge of an extensive range of professional nursing theories, principles, and procedures. Recommends strategies to improve nursing unit organization and functions utilizing 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. 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. Consults with the supervisor, peers, and subordinates to coordinate unit improvement, resolve conflict, and improve the environment of care. Conducts and participates in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of facility, departmental, or unit-based programs. Ensures patient privacy and confidentiality; identifies, recommends, and 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 (i.e., providers, physical therapists, nutritional therapist, case managers, pharmacist, etc.) to develop strategies to improve services; etc. Coordinates and collaborates with interdisciplinary team to develop strategies to improve patient care for both individual patients and for the unit in general. Provides highly skilled and specialized clinical care. Orients and welcomes new interdisciplinary staff members. Acts as patient education facilitator, providing individual and family teaching/counseling. Serves as a resource person with whom other critical care nurses, nurses from other care areas, and other health care providers consult when particularly difficult problems in care of critically ill patients arise. Serves as a role model to experienced critical care nurses as well as those not fully trained. Provides guidance and leadership to other professional nurses and provides instructions and training to paraprofessional personnel, including on-the-job training, as necessary.

 

4. Participates in department’s in-services, unit meetings/briefings, EBP, and in continuing quality improvement measures. Participates in evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of activities/services of the unit by organizing nursing monitoring and evaluation activities. Participates in care planning care conferences and with other nurses, professional, and nonprofessional personnel to determine and communicate the steps needed to achieve optimal care and health. Possesses clinical nursing skills appropriate to the critical care setting and patient population being served. Completes orientation and competency verification programs in accordance with clinic guidelines. Maintains currency of skills through ongoing in-service training, annual core competencies, continuing education, and professional development Maintains environmental safety and infection control guidelines/standards in accordance with Center for Disease Control (CDC), The Joint Commission (TJC), DHA, and MTF policies. Completes all training requirements designated by facility, supervisor, or accrediting agencies; participates in continuing education programs to update and/or maintain skills and knowledge to meet licensing requirements.

5. Functions as charge nurse of a particular shift on a recurring basis, assuming the responsibility for promoting quality, cost-effective nursing care, within the framework of the MTF philosophy and mission objectives. Within that function, incumbent is delegated authority and as the responsibility to implement, coordinate, and direct nursing care for assigned shift. Identifies, distributes, and balances workload and tasks among personnel, based on their competency level, experience and MTF guidelines; monitors assignments to ensure timely accomplishment of tasks and procedures. Monitors and reports on status and progress of work, reviews completed work to ensure supervisor's instructions on work priorities, methods, quality, and deadlines have been met. Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees, patients, and other interdisciplinary team members, and refers unusual issues to supervisor or appropriate management person. Orders and replenishes necessary equipment, instruments, and supplies used in the unit. Maintains stock levels of instruments, supplies and equipment to ensure its availability. Responsible for technical, operational, and maintenance aspects of state-of-the-art equipment in critical care.

 

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US CitizensIn order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.Basic Requirement for Nurse:Degree: A graduate or higher level degree, bachelor's degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.).Licensure: A current, active, full, and unrestricted license or registration as a professional nurse from a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States; and you must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination.Foreign Degree: Graduates of foreign nursing schools must have completed the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Certification Program. The certification program consists of a credentials evaluation, the CGFNS Qualifying Exam, and evidence of passing one of the approved English Language Proficiency examinations. A copy of the CGFNS Certificate is required.Exemption: You are exempt from the basic requirements above if you are a current federal employee occupying a position in the 0610 occupational series and have been continuously employed in this occupational series since September 27, 2017 or before. Note: You will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the respective Human Resources Office to validate your status.In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:Education/Experience: A diploma, associate degree, or bachelor's degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program and possession of at least one full year of professional nursing experience (equivalent to the GS-9 grade level or above) which includes providing nursing care to ambulatory patients, administering medications and providing education to patients or nursing staff.OREducation: A PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field.