SUMMARY

Provide Clinical Registered Nurses services for Government beneficiaries at Keesler Medical Center (KMC), 81st Medical Group (81 MDG), Keesler Air Force Base (KAFB), Mississippi (MS).

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Uses the nursing process in delivery of care in pediatric clinic, via telephone, or secure messaging. Assessment: Performs a systematic, comprehensive patient assessment during clinic visits or via telephone/secure messaging in order to establish urgency of the patient’s problem. Rapidly recognizes life-threatening emergencies and is able to discern the difference between relevant and irrelevant information in taking a patient history. Planning: In collaboration with the patient, develops a plan of care which facilitates safe, cost-effective, high quality healthcare services aimed at promoting optimum wellness. Incorporates assessment parameters unique to nursing across distances, such as patient distance from care and availability of resources. Implementation: Carries out plan of care, facilitating referral to the appropriate level of care and provides home care instructions as indicated. Provides care within the context of the patient’s own agenda. Facilitates continuity of care. Evaluation: Evaluates effectiveness of care and other quality parameters such as customer satisfaction at the conclusion of clinic visit or telephone encounter. Appropriately utilizes approved telehealth protocols, for patient assessment and clinical decision-making, recognizing when deviation from the telehealth protocol is required. Applies professional, community, and regulatory standards in delivery of care in clinic setting or via telephone. Maintains current knowledge of pediatric medications, immunizations, and the ability to correctly perform pediatric dosage calculations. Performs a full range of nursing procedures such as: IV fluid administration, oxygen administration, vital signs, specimen collection and other unit specific procedures as prescribed by the provider. Ability to administer medications orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intravenously, and topically. Understands the importance of and shows competence in the application of excellent communication skills, recognizing and demonstrating the critical role of telephone communication (tone of voice, telephone etiquette, etc.,) in the delivery of care by telephone. Utilizes critical decision-making skills, incorporating a variety of patient characteristics and elements of care delivery, such as, distance from care, available resources, age, and chronic illness, into decision making. Assumes accountability for own practice and delegates tasks appropriately. Facilitates access to the health care system through referral to primary providers, specialists, healthcare facilities and community resources. Schedules appointments IAW with hospital policies and procedures.               Maintains clinical competency and currency of skills through on-going in-services, competency verification program, continuing education, and professional development. Participates in meetings and committees as necessary. Demonstrates knowledge of telephone triage approved protocols, professional nursing standards of care and practice. Ensures patient safety, confidentiality, informed consent, and patient rights IAW the JC guidelines and AF policy when providing care and services. Demonstrates skill in patient teaching and knowledge of growth, development, and pathophysiologic needs of age specific populations. Follows age-specific, routine, and emergency protocols to manage patients within the scope of professional nursing knowledge, practice, judgment, and skills IAW approved policies/protocols. Demonstrates critical thinking in nursing assessment and accurately determines the most appropriate triage protocol for the situation/presenting problem. Utilizes clinical assessment of caller variables (including those unique to patient care by telephone such as distance from care and non-visible assessment parameters) to maintain appropriateness of disposition (defined urgency) with availability of clinical service (provider visit, urgent care, Emergency Department, etc.) Completes concise, thorough, accurate, objective documentation on each patient interaction, including assessment, plan of care, intervention, and disposition, using either standard documentation forms or an approved computerized software program. Demonstrates excellent communication skills. Maintains a customer-driven professional attitude, utilizing appropriate tone, and reflective questioning techniques. Safely administer medications and perform nursing procedures/treatments using developmental and age-appropriate approaches for pediatric patients. Set up and operate a variety of specialized medical equipment such as cardiac monitoring devices, IV pumps, EKG units, oxygen therapy and nebulizers. Apply critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in order to assess patient care needs, formulate individualized nursing care plans, and recognize/respond to changes in the patient status. Ability to recognize adverse signs and symptoms and react quickly in emergency situations. Completes orientation and competency verification programs IAW unit guidelines. Will comply with the wear, use, and maintenance of all required personal protective equipment (to include, but not limited to respiratory protection) as required to perform normal duties, as identified by Bioenvironmental Engineering occupational health surveillance. Maintains regular and punctual attendance. Performs other duties as assigned.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None