Nurse (Perioperative/Ambulatory)

Military Treatment Facilities under DHA • Fort Hood, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This Nurse position is with the Defense Health Agency at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, Texas. The role is in a combined Ambulatory Procedure Unit providing preoperative, Phase I post-anesthesia care, and Phase II nursing care. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be authorized, and salary negotiation may be available for candidates new to Federal service.

The nurse assesses patients’ physiological and psychosocial status, establishes a baseline nursing care plan, develops goals and expected outcomes, and teaches patients and significant others about surgical procedures and perioperative routines. The nurse provides care to patients of all ages undergoing anesthesia, including general, regional, local, or sedation analgesia, and monitors arterial and venous lines. The role also involves preparing patients for surgical, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures; observing and assessing their condition; recognizing changes; and selecting and implementing appropriate interventions. Care may include administering oxygen, IV medications and fluids, blood and blood derivatives, and other specialized therapies.

The nurse may serve as unit charge nurse, assigning, directing, and coordinating nursing activities for assigned personnel, and performing administrative duties in support of the Clinical Nurse Officer in Charge. The position requires current BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications. It may involve shift or rotating work, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, and on-call work during irregular hours. Moderate to heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds may be required. The position is designated Inclement Weather Essential and Mission Essential, requiring the incumbent to make every attempt to report during severe weather and to report during contingency operations, disasters, and other emergencies.

Requirements

• A graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program, unless eligible for the stated federal employee exemption.
• A current, active, full, and unrestricted professional nurse license or registration from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory, and passage of the National Council Licensure Examination, unless eligible for the stated federal employee exemption.
• For graduates of foreign nursing schools, official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required.
• A diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in Nursing from a professional nursing program and at least one full year of professional nursing experience equivalent to GS-09 or above, including nursing care for surgical patients (pre-, intra-, and/or postoperative) and educating patients or staff; alternatively, a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a professional nursing educational program or related medical science field.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association; advanced certification does not replace BLS.
• Ability to obtain and maintain current Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain current Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) certification.
• Ability to meet non-privileged professional credential requirements.
• Consent to seasonal influenza vaccination or provision of a recognized exemption.
• Consent to pre-employment screening and random drug urinalysis testing.
• Completion of a pre-placement medical examination and required immunization screening; Hepatitis B immunization is required for positions with direct patient contact.
• Ability to fulfill recurring duties involving interaction with children and youth under 18, including the associated initial background investigation and periodic re-verification requirements.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ physiological and psychosocial status and formulate a baseline nursing care plan, including goals and expected patient outcomes.
• Teach patients and significant others about surgical procedures and routines expected during the perioperative period.
• Provide nursing care to patients of all ages undergoing general, regional, local, or sedation analgesia, including monitoring arterial and venous lines.
• Prepare patients for surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures; observe and assess patient condition; recognize and interpret changes; and select and implement appropriate actions.
• Administer oxygen, IV medications and fluids, blood and blood derivatives, and other specialized therapies.
• Serve as unit charge nurse by assigning, directing, and coordinating nursing activities for assigned personnel.
• Perform administrative duties in support of the Clinical Nurse Officer in Charge.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree