Overview

Advanced Practice Nurse ( OB/GYN) Tacoma, WA

At Madigan you will practice alongside civilian and military health care experts and experience unique professional opportunties. 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. 

Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest on the Puget Sound, in Washington State, Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) is near the city of Lakewood, 10 minutes from Tacoma and 20 minutes from Olympia, the state capitol. JBLM is situated in a key location along Interstate 5, allowing easy access to Seattle, Tacoma, and the welcoming neighboring communities. Although the Army and Air Force missions have changed over the years, one thing has not changed—the natural setting of the base. Majestic Mount Rainier looms on the horizon, towering over the other peaks of the Cascade Range. From the mountains to the deep waters of Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean, the local areas abound in natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. Camping, hunting, fishing, hiking, boating and new sports are a way of life in Washington State.

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

1. Serve as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN) for Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). As an APRN, serve as a direct Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) health care provider in the capacity of a credentialed Nurse Practitioner to provide OB-GYN care services to female patients; making independent decisions regarding the medical care required and in the interpretation and evaluation of processes resulting from continuing changes in the medical field due to new technological developments or conflicting requirements. The APRN performs a variety of complex duties involving the full range of medical care that involves isolating and defining unknown medical conditions. Assignments include a wide range of activities including assessing, planning, evaluating and modifying the treatment of patients in various locations throughout the MTF.

Provide independent, primary, comprehensive and therapeutic health care services, to include examining, assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients in the OB-GYN Clinic. Identify and manage, according to outlined protocols, own case load of antepartum and postpartum patients, and those with gynecologic problems: counsel on menopausel, infertility, contraceptive and related health concerns. See unscheduled walk-in patients at specified times for identification and management of acute minor gynecologic or obstetric illnesses. See patients with abnormal pap screens. Obtain and record a problem oriented health history, to include chief complaint, a history of present illness, past medical history, family history and review of systems. Perform a systematic physical examination and interpret abnormal and normal findings. Perform routine gynecologic examinations, to include abdominal palpation, breast examination, and pelvic examination. Pap smears, and laboratory specimens to rule out vaginal infections. Order and interpret related laboratory and diagnostic tests. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings in order to make a nursing diagnosis regarding physical, emotional, or social disabilities. Develop a problem list if indicated, implementing a therapeutic plan for each problem. Prescribe medications approved by the Therapeutic Agents Board.

Provide teaching to patients and their families regarding the disease process, diagnostic tests, the therapeutic regimen including medication, diet and follow-up care; methods of adapting medication and treatment to current life styles; pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum; methods of contraception; infertility, menopause, and prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. Provide counseling to patients for prevention of illness and maintenance of health; in order to assist patients in attaining physical, mental and social well-being.

Secure a health and medical history from the patients or family member, record findings and make clinical evaluation. Examine patients and perform initial patient work- up and assessment of patient's care and treatment; and determine the need for and order laboratory tests, X-rays and other procedures necessary to complete assessment of the patient. Discriminate between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional or mental problems. Provide surveillance of adherence to medical and primary care practices and procedures to care for OB-GYN patients; adjust regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other primary care members. Make decisions concerning care needs of patients that impacts the care of other healthcare professionals and ancillary staff; work independently and collaboratively with physicians in patient management, evaluation and revision of therapeutic plans; and refer extremely or selected complex medical problems to physician.

2. Independently develop new techniques and establish criteria for providing improved, quality patient health care to clients and family members of the Medical Center. Collaborate with other professionals, and agencies involved in providing OB-GYN care services to patients and their family members, and coordinate the care provided. Develop and recommend new approaches for providing improved, quality primary care for military and their family members and other clients of the hospital. Provide consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members regarding treatment and medical care. Document in patients’ record all observations, plans, treatments, and other important findings. Identify those components of the care plan which may be appropriately delegated to other nursing personnel.

3. Consult with other professional and paraprofessional staff throughout the institution on women’s health issues. Supervise and instruct students in clinical experiences. Coordinate or conduct in-service education programs for other health care professionals. Serve as advisor/member of committee as needed. Participate in ongoing peer review with other APRNs. Develop protocols in collaboration with physicians. Involved in continuous professional self-growth through attendance at seminars and classes and by subscription to professional journals. Initiate emergency care as appropriate.

Perform other duties assigned.

Qualifications

US Citizenship required

At least one year of licensed clinical experience AFTER finishing APRN program

Applicants must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination and possess 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.