Overview

Nurse (Clinical/Psychiatric)

Fort Carson, CO: Located just south of Colorado Springs, Ft. Carson combines scenic beauty, pleasant residential areas, and cultural activities to satisfy every taste. It is an unusually well-rounded military community which offers a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities. World-class ski resorts are available within a short 2 1/2 hour drive, golf courses and biking trails are available on the installation as well as in the surrounding community. Numerous colleges and universities are available for continuing education.

(Fort Carson Landscape)

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

MAJOR DUTIES

1. Performs a comprehensive behavioral health nursing assessment and history to plan, provide and direct nursing care across the continuum of care. Utilizes appropriate interview skills to identify existing and potential problems, and formulates a nursing plan of care. Describes in writing the patient's appearance, emotional status, interaction with staff and/or family, and knowledge level of disease process. Utilizes and instruct others in the use of single and specialized equipment as appropriate to clinical area. Utilizes the nursing process to identify patient problems and generate nursing diagnoses; designs a plan of care, writes and implements nursing orders to achieve established goals, evaluates nursing interventions based upon the patients response to care, documents patients status on a continual basis and revises plan of care accordingly.2. Develops and initiates an innovative teaching program for patients requiring special approaches. Teaches patient and family members regarding the disease process; treatment modalities; diagnostic procedures; use of equipment related to disease/care; expected and possible adverse reactions to medications; discharge planning; health maintenance; and illness prevention. Communicates progress and/or changes to the patient, family and members of the health care team. Initiates emergency measures as appropriate. Makes interdisciplinary referrals. Identify pending crisis situations and handle appropriately.3. Administers many psychotropic and complex medications via the oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, topical, rectal, respiratory, intravenous routes. Makes independent judgments in the administration of PRN medication. Reinforces the basic knowledge of the patient regarding their prescribed medication regimen and the importance of compliance.4. Develops and present classes related to psychiatric/behavioral health nursing to enhance the knowledge base of peers and subordinates. Participates as an active member in classes that are sponsored by other members of the multidisciplinary team; in that the classes are part of the program established for patient care. Participates in group and milieu therapy as well as individual therapies. Coordinates patient enrollment in experiential classes that are conducted by various members of the interdisciplinary team. Participates in inter-disciplinary team planning conferences. Serves as role model and teacher for other personnel, including experienced and fully trained nurses.5. Directs the work of Psychiatric Technicians, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered nurses, students and volunteers. Assumes charge nurse responsibilities as assigned

PERFORMS OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

Basic Requirement :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: A degree from a Foreign Nursing School. Official certification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools is required for individuals who graduated from foreign nursing schools.