Family Nurse Practitioner Jobs

Family Nurse Practitioner Keesler AFB, MS

Keesler Air Force Base, located on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, is the home of the 81st Training Wing, which hosts the Second Air Force (2 AF) training, and the 403rd Wing (an Air Force Reserve command).

Biloxi is the town just outside of Keesler's main gate and western Pass Road gate. It includes the waterfront hotels, casinos, and restaurants that host numerus tourists during the summer months. Some neighborhoods are historic and quiet, while others are close to the nightlife, so you will find a mixture of home styles and housing prices.

Ocean Springs is nine miles east of Keesler, across a long bridge, and is a very desirable area for family housing. With historic downtown streets, art galleries, and numerous restaurants and shopping options, you'll find most things you need in Ocean Springs.

Weather on Mississippi's Gulf Coast can be surprising! Winters are generally mild, with some days of cold temperatures that linger just above freezing, while most days just require a jacket or sweatshirt to be outdoors. Spring can be either very cold or very warm, with intense thunderstorms and flooding from heavy rains. One thing that is always consistent: the summers are hot. Temperatures from July through September are frequently in the 90's, and the muggy humidity makes it difficult to be outdoors in the afternoon. Fall can also be pleasantly mild.

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.

MAJOR DUTIES:

1. Provides comprehensive primary, preventative, and therapeutic health care service to assigned patients in a family practice clinic in a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). Performs comprehensive physical assessments of patients to include baseline data such as past medical and surgical history, family history, social history, and immunization history. Independently diagnoses and manages acute episodic and chronic illnesses including but are not limited to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, upper respiratory infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and dermatological or orthopedic conditions; minor traumas; behavior/psychological problems; and short term health issues such as injuries and infections. Performs baby exams, pre-employment physicals, and sports physicals. Performs pre-deployment and post-deployment assessments of active duty personnel. Performs Preventive Health Assessment (PHA)/Reserve Component PHA exams, overseas clearances for dependents, and medical evaluation board (MEB) summaries on military personnel in accordance with annual requirements. Performs or requests special screening and development tests and laboratory tests and interprets the results. Orders, performs, collects, and interprets laboratory tests to include but not limited to electrocardiogram (EKGs), wet preps, wet mounts, hema-occults, routine blood chemistry, hematology, microbiology, bacteriology, virology, toxicology, pathology, and cytology. Orders and interprets the findings of radiological studies, including but not limited to computerized tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), X-rays, ventilation/perfusion (VQ) scans, nuclear medicine scans, and other tests that may be necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of a patient. When needed, requests consultations to assist on interpretation of abnormal studies. Performs procedures to include but not limited to biopsies such as shave biopsies, minor suturing, toenail removals, and joint aspirations. Uses knowledge of a variety of pharmacological agents to treat patients based the desired effects, side effects, and potential complications of the pharmacologic agent used. Accurately administrates pharmacologic agent and determines proper dosage calculations. Prescribes and monitors pain management regimes in patients with chronic pain. Uses knowledge of patient education principles and behavioral readiness to change along with knowledge of disease management programs and clinical practice guidelines (e.g., Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs), and Healthcare Effective Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measurements to teach patients and family members ways to maintain or improve their health status. Uses patient education materials as appropriate. Maintains electronic medical records or patient paper charts to document medical information and treatment procedures. Incorporates current knowledge of disease and condition management into daily work activities to include evidence-based primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Recognizes scope of practice/limitations, consults with a physician and/or medical specialty services as needed, and refers patients as appropriate. Ensures referrals include the appropriate level of severity/urgency of the care needed.

2. As a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), provides comprehensive health care services. Performs procedures, treatments, and orders medications based on assessment results and standards of care. Educates patients and family members on diagnosis, discusses treatment options and makes recommendations, and ensures patients/family members have information required to provide informed consent for treatment. Prescribes medications and adjusts dosage according to patient’s needs and responses, to include appropriate dosing, side effects, and medication interactions. Performs minor diagnostic procedures, such as punch biopsies, mole removal, wart removal, needle aspiration for culture, and shave biopsies. Also performs minor suturing, toenail removals, and joint aspirations. Additionally performs procedures such as intravenous (IV) line placement, dressing changes, catheterizations, wound irrigation, oxygen administration, and specimen collection such as blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Participates with the consulting physician in planning, instituting, evaluating, and revising program plans; assists in determining conditions, resources, and policies essential to the delivery of health care services. In partnership with physicians, makes decisions concerning medical care needs of patients as well as nursing care needs. Provides surveillance of adherence to medical and nursing regimens to stabilize chronically ill patients; adjusts regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other health team members. Develops family nursing protocol and defines and develops relevant procedures for the facility.

3. Shares clinical expertise as consultant and instructor. Evaluates clinical practices and collaborates with health care team members to improve patient care delivery IAW evidence based practice standards. Participates in staff development programs. Participates in evaluation of the quality and effectiveness of activities/services of the unit by organizing nursing monitoring and evaluation activities. Submits to and performs peer reviews on providers. Participates in continuing education programs to update and/or maintain skills and knowledge to meet annual requirements.

4. Participates in committees, functions, and other meetings as directed. Serves as a member of various committees, functions, and other meetings as needed. Provides relevant and timely information to these groups. Assists with decision making and process improvement. Serves as a functional expert on family health care for the medical group, serving as an advocate for these functions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:

Must maintain a valid, unrestricted Registered Nurse license and a Certified Register Nurse Practitioner license (with no limitations, stipulations, or pending adverse actions) in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Board Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), or other national Family Nursing accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education.

One year of experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Must possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.

This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to random testing for drug use.

This position has been identified as having “regular contact with children,” requiring a criminal history background check to be completed on any person selected for the position IAW DOD guidance.

This position may be designated as Mission Essential based on local conditions. Mission Essential personnel report for duty at normal times when the base is closed or delayed reporting and remain on duty during phased or early release.

Incumbent will share on-call duty during weeknights, weekends, and/or holidays on a rotational basis as required consistent with other providers with the same specialty performing like duties. On-call duty consists of the provider being accessible by telephone in order for patients to receive telephone triage anytime the MTF is closed (this does not include admitting patients for inpatient care).

Administrative time to complete additional duties will be consistent with other like providers; however, incumbent may be asked to perform direct patient care during unusual hours to maintain clinic access during times when active duty providers are performing military unique training requirements, e.g., medical readiness for deployment missions and mass casualty disaster training. May be required to work rotating shifts.

Incumbent will be working with the military and be required to learn the Special Needs Identification and Assignment Coordination process.

This position may have a mandatory seasonal influenza vaccination requirement and could be subject to annual seasonal influenza vaccinations. Applicants tentatively selected for appointment to this position may be required to sign a statement (Condition of Employment) consenting to seasonal influenza vaccinations.