Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner)

at  Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps Falls Church VA

Overview:
Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner) Landstuhl, Germany
Landstuhl is the most beautiful city in the western Palatinate and offers all the conveniences of a large city but with the character and advantages of a cozy little town. The remains of Nanstein castle characterize the silhouette of Landstuhl. Being located at the northern edge of the “Pfälzer Wald”, one of the largest wooded areas in Germany, it offers all kinds of outdoor sporting activities i.e. mountain-biking, hiking or Nordic Walking.
For more than 50 years the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center has been an important part of the community. This long and close relationship between the LRMC and the city of Landstuhl characterizes the way how the local citizens live together with their international guests and how well they are integrated.
The Landstuhl Medical Center is not just one of the multiple bases operated by the United States in Europe, but also the largest one located outside the country. Just like the name says, it is located close to Landstuhl in Germany. It usually deals with the troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other than that, the base is located on European territory, which means it is operated under the laws and regulations of the German government. In other words, it doesn’t just help the wounded soldiers returning from the Middle East, but also the military troops from Germany. One of its most important advantages is that it is the closest and most advanced hospital for these troops. There is no other such medical center closer to the Middle East.
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.
Responsibilities:

Serves as a direct primary healthcare provider in the capacity of a credentials nurse practitioner to provide primary care services to patients ranging in ages from 18 years through geriatric. Serves in the Deputy Command for Surgical Services’ a Primary Health Care Department (e.g., outpatient) within Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC; a military medical center.
1. Provides case management for the patient population with responsibility for the independent examination, diagnosis, and treatment within personal credentials and privileges delineated by the medical center. Provides leadership in comprehensive surgical services and auxiliary practices in general medicine to military and their family members and retirees in the Kaiserslautern military community. Performs a wide range of activities including assessing, planning, evaluating and modifying the treatment locations throughout the medical treatment facility (MTF) and assisting the attending physician in delivering health care for outpatients. Obtains the health and medical history from the patient or family member, records findings and makes clinical evaluation. Examines patients and performs initial patient work-up and assessment of patients’ care and treatment and determines the need for and orders laboratory tests, x-rays and other procedures necessary to complete assessment of the patient. Discriminates between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional, or mental problems. Provides surveillance of adherence to medical and primary care practices and procedures to stabilize chronically ill patients. Adjusts regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other surgical service line members.
2. Works collaboratively with the physician in patient management, evaluation and revision of therapeutic plans and refers extremely or selected complex medical problems for physician management. Diagnoses disease, illness disorder or injury; institutes treatment of patients and seeks the advice of appropriate physicians for more serious or uncommon conditions. Prescribes for and treats a variety of diseases, disorders and injuries. Treats patients returning for routine or directed follow-up and treatment of chronic illnesses previously documented in patients’ medical records. Prepares routine orders on outpatients. Performs medical histories. Provides a full range of emergency services or crises interventions in the absence of the physician including life-saving emergency procedures in order to stabilize a patient within the scope of practice and approved protocols. Completes all patients charting within medical command standards of 72 hours. Responsible for answering telephone consults from empaneled patients within medical command standards or 72 hours for routine consults and 24 hours for high priority consults. Writes prescriptions, orders the administration of medications, dispenses medications and prescribed controlled substance in accordance with approved treatment protocols. Manages and provides care to general surgery clinic patients under guidance of sugical provider. Performs a variety of physical examinations such as adoption physical, retirement, discharge, reenlistment, disability separation or retirement, annual and other special physicals, health certificate employment and other related physical examinations. Orders laboratory tests, x-rays, etc., and arranges for physician consultation.
3. Records entries into patient’s automated charts including progress notes, treatment rendered, tests or procedures ordered, and notations of prescriptions or orders, and drugs dispensed or administered in accordance with approved protocols. Provides consultation, teaching, and coordination with patients and their family members concerning treatment and medical care. Coordinates with patient’s physicians’ concerning findings and diagnoses, laboratory results, follow-up treatment plan or the effect of medications prescribed in accordance with approved protocols (i.e., diabetic teaching and counseling).
4. Provides surgical and preventive services to healthy individuals including guidance in common illnesses, accidents, alternative drugs usage, etc. Evaluates the total health care needs of patients and develops plans to meet clients’ needs. Participates with the attending physician and other medical staff in interpreting and evaluating continuing changes in direct patient care, conflicting requirements, or technological developments in the medical field. Plans with other professionals and agencies involved in providing surgical services to patients and their family members and coordinates the surgery provided. Develops and recommends new approaches for providing improved, quality surgical services for military and their family members and other clients of LRMC.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Basic Requirements:
US Citizenship required
Experience in Acute Care/ICU Nursing, as well as experience in outpatient setting highly desired.
Experience in collaborative practice, ideally with a physician practice group
ACLS & ATLS Certification