Senior Clinical Nurse, Medical Asset Support Team (O-5 Billet) Non-Supervisory - Internal

This position supports nursing staff, advances nursing practices, and contributes to the IHSC Health Care Mission. Duties include providing direct patient care, offering clinical and administrative nursing support, and collaborating with the IHSC Chief Nurse to implement initiatives aimed at enhancing clinical nursing care.

This position is only open to USPHS officers who are currently IHSC employees.
USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position.

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Understanding theories, concepts, principles, and their relationships underlying the practices of professional nursing to improve the efficiency and quality of work performed or to protect the quality of life or healthcare services, as evidenced by the following: a. Knowledge of nursing care scope of practice, principles, and procedures in accordance with national, state, and local nursing laws and regulations. b. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities and in clinical practice daily as needed. c. Demonstrates/leads culturally competent care in all clinical areas, ensuring needed interpretation and/or translations services are available. d. The correctional registered nurse practices ethically per the Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements (ANA, 2001).
2. Applying a range and depth of knowledge acquired specifically through an intensive learning regimen of the phenomena, theories, and concepts of a scientific body of nursing knowledge, as evidenced by the following: a. Maintains in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of IHSC policies, IHSC National Formulary, IHSC Directives and Guides affecting nursing services, IHSC Clinical Nursing Guidelines, and national accreditation standards. b. Thorough knowledge of/ability to access/utilize/mentor staff regarding use of agency SharePoint to include directives, guides, training, tools and resources pertaining to the Nursing Services Unit. c. May be utilized as acting Nurse Manager (NM) during TDY assignments and may be providing guidance to meet the standards related to daily clinic processes and nursing processes for federal and contract nursing staff to include registered nurses (RNs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nurse assistants. d. May assist the Health Service Administrators (HSA) in the absence of the NM, as a government technical monitors, with oversight of contract nursing staff to include registered nurses, licensed practical/vocational nurses, and certified nurse assistants on daily clinic processes during TDY assignments; and monitors nursing processes and provides guidance to meet the standards related to those processes. e. May assist the HSA (in the absence of the NM) by providing training and completing onsite review of nursing competencies during TDY assignments to ensure they are following IHSC policy; reviews and monitors findings and implements appropriate actions to support the safe delivery of nursing care.
3. Creating, exploring, evaluating, designing, and sharing solutions and the validity of their predicted performance to resolve problems, conditions, and issues, as evidenced by the following: a. Adult learner teaching skills including the ability to communicate with strong written and oral skill noted during the performance of these duties: i. Ability to participate in/conduct staff meetings effectively on a local, regional, or national level. ii. Collaborates with site NM during TDY assignments and establishes clear goals and expectations regarding any needs for clinic training or review of nursing processes. iii. Providing on-site training that increases understanding of the policies and/or procedures that promote best practices in nursing, compliance with accreditation standards, and other nursing profession topics, or competency training in nursing procedures, such as wound care, intravenous access, medication and immunization administration, Basic Life Support, and other training pieces, based on appropriate knowledge and training; documenting training appropriately per IHSC policy or accreditation standards. iv. Assisting in the orientation of new healthcare and nursing personnel to guidelines, requirements, and the specifics of the patient population at the local site. v. Providing and documenting appropriate health teaching/counseling to provide reinforcement/guidance to minimize protocol deviations. vi. Communicating complex quality issues for nursing to site NM, Regional Nurse Manager (RNM) or Chief Nurse (CN) when support is needed. vii. Identification/collaboration with the site NM/RNM/CN regarding national process changes identified by unit chart reviews, nursing incident reports, Medical Quality Management Unit (MQMU) review/reports, and any corrective action plans that are needed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of nursing care delivery. viii. Attends and participates in general, medical, and Nursing Service Unit (NSU) meetings as scheduled. ix. Participating as a primary or supportive professional nursing mentor in regular one- on-one or group mentoring activities. x. Contributing support as NSU leadership by developing/presenting two approved nursing education in-services with evaluation criteria annually, or presenting three established training modules, develops/revises two patient education documents utilizing multiple learning styles; other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

3. b. As a member of the IHSC Nursing Services Unit team, they will assist with participating in the development/review of: i. Special projects to support the DAD of Clinical Services when not on TDY travel. ii. Developing and communicating a strategic vision of nursing care that includes communicating values and goals for a diverse group of nursing professionals. iii. Formulating short and long-range objectives for programs within the nursing division to ensure integration of them with overall objectives and plans of IHSC. iv. Planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating nursing policy. v. Timely corrective action plans to resolve issues related to the delivery of nursing care and nursing personnel issues; federal staff performance or conduct issues are communicated to site NM for appropriate action; contractor performance is documented in real time using the Tier Reporting system in collaboration with site NM or HSA (in absence of NM).vi. discipline specific nursing orientation schedules for each new nursing staff member, in collaboration with the Contract Coordinator (CC) (if contract nurse); may meet with the preceptor/preceptee to assess effectiveness of the orientation process initially or while on TDY to make recommendations for training based on the individual's learning style. vii. utilization and documentation of translation services within the medical record, to include providing corrective actions necessary to ensure appropriate use of translation services per IHSC policy.

4. Identifying, analyzing, advising, consulting, and reporting on nursing, theoretical, and factual data, conditions, and problems, as evidenced by: a. Demonstrating strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills through the following: i. Performance of complex tasks requiring developed proficiency/ higher responsibility: serving as Clinical Coordinator/ Acting Nurse Manager/ Acting Regional Nurse Manager as assigned. ii. Demonstrates ability to work effectively with all members of the local health care teams to ensure the delivery of comprehensive quality care to all patients by providing input into nursing treatment plans, on-site primary nursing care, assisting with identification of special needs accommodations, and follow-up care as needed. iii. During TDY assignments, serving on local leadership team (TRIAD) in the absence of NM and working in partnership with the HSA and Clinical Director (CD) (responsible health authority) together to establish the processes and procedures necessary to meet all applicable medical and operational standards. During absence of NM or as needed, communicates updates on NSU local, regional, and national goals/taskings to HSA and CD for collaboration. Attends weekly TRIAD meetings if needed to represent NSU. iv. During TDY assignments demonstrates ongoing collaborative communication with local site leadership while serving as Nursing Services Unit liaison with HSA, Assistant Health Services Administrator (AHSA), Facility Healthcare Program Manager (FHPM), Infection Prevention Officer (IPO), Clinical Director (CD), and lead Advanced Practice Provider (APP). v. Maintaining awareness of any operational/quality issues in nursing and identifying strategies for correction of operational/quality issues for nursing at local site to NM, RNM or CN as needed, that includes development of/review of corrective action plans for those issues.vi. During TDY assignments, participating in regular meetings, at request of local NM, with multidisciplinary treatment team members to discuss proposed revisions of treatment plans. vii. During TDY assignments, serving as a liaison for nursing, at request of local NM, while maintaining collaborative relationships with members of other healthcare disciplines. viii. During TDY assignments, provides comprehensive care and treatment plans; evaluates/collaborates as needed for patient care interventions with other health care professionals, using in-depth knowledge of the specific patient's status, anticipating physiological and/or psychological appropriate or adverse responses, to facilitate optimal clinical outcomes.

5. Staying abreast of, and evaluating nursing subjects, analyses, and proposals in professional literature, as evidenced by the following: a. Demonstrating a working knowledge of Lippincott's Nursing Procedures and Advisor programs and utilize this knowledge to evaluate onsite professional nursing practice. b. Effectively assigning required Lippincott training modules to nursing staff and monitoring staff progress. c. Monitoring nursing research trends and reports potentially applicable processes or procedures to Nursing Services Unit (NSU) leadership for evaluation and consideration of implementation. d. Development/review for annual revisions of national, evidence-based Nursing Clinical Guidelines and Protocols for NSU. e. If required during TDY assignments, attending/representing local site at all teleconferences with NSU, such as monthly nurse manager meetings/trainings and quarterly all hands nursing meetings. f. Development of strategies promoting the recruitment and retention of nurses and to recognize nursing excellence g. Attends leadership and other training as recommended.

6. Assessing, resolving, and predicting the relationships and interactions of data and findings under varying conditions, as evidenced by the following: a. Assessing and validating the current patient care delivery system, ensuring clinical and staffing standards for nursing practice are consistent with current evidence-based research and professional standards to align with the mission, vision, and values of the organization. b. Assesses standards for nursing and overall review of quality assurance and data entry procedures for the purpose of generating reports as required/needed. c. May prepare statistical information, regularly scheduled reports, or special reports as necessary. d. Facilitates ease of data reporting, data collection, and the generation of reports by implementing streamlined and approved reporting processes.

7. Reasoning from existing knowledge and assumptions in the nursing field to unexplored areas and phenomena. a. Demonstrates ability of proactive and collaborative adaptation when encountering challenges related to novel health conditions, infectious diseases, and health care trends. b. Demonstrates ability to learn emerging concepts and trends regarding healthcare and nursing services, collaborating with NSU and IHSC leadership, and demonstrates ability to effectively convey new knowledge, such as newly approved practices and procedures, to peers and subordinates. c. Demonstrates annually contributions to NSU program development at the local, regional, and national level with team/unit participation. d. Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Required to walk unaided at a normal pace for up to five (5) minutes and maintain balance.
2. Required to jog/fast walk up to ¼ mile.
3. Required to perform CPR/emergency care standing or kneeling.
4. Must have the ability to assist sick, injured, or aging detainees or staff exiting the building (may require lifting, dragging, wheeling, or carrying someone who weighs significantly more than self).
5. Must be able to see, hear (with hearing aids if necessary), and smell as needed.
6. Must easily alternate between kneeling and standing.
7. Must be able to lift, push, or carry 30 pounds.
8. Must have the ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time (6-8 hours).
9. Must perform the duties of the position in a stressful and often austere environment without physical limitations.
10. Hazardous duty assignment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Competencies required: a. Professional clinical nursing experience: 5 years; i. Experience in correctional health care preferred. ii. 3 years direct clinical patient care (e.g., inpatient) nursing experience preferred. iii. 1 year administrative and/or supervisory experience preferred. iv. 1 year experience equal to O4 (GS-12) required. b. Maintains CPR/BLS certification. c. Obtain CCHP-RN within 2 years of assignment.
2. Qualifications-Degrees Required: a. Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. i. Master's Degree in Nursing or related field preferred.
3. Qualifications-Licenses and Certifications Required: a. Nursing License- Must be a Registered Nurse (RN).i. Maintains current/documented professional licensure. (It is the responsibility of the incumbent to fulfill the obligation(s) of their licensing or certifying body to maintain currency. This position may be required to perform clinical activities with the scope of clinical license in times of critical needs within and at the direction of the agency.) b. Professional credentials/certification appropriate to current job specialty.
4. Graduate of a professional nursing school approved by the appropriate State accrediting agency.
5. Knowledge of the Nurse Practice Act for the licensing state and the state in which one practices nursing.
6. Knowledge of a wide range of complex nursing concepts, principles, and practices to perform nursing assessments of considerable diversity to include mental health, medical/surgical, ambulatory, and emergency nursing care.
7. Comprehensive knowledge of managing non-compliant patients, special needs populations, and patients with significant deficits in coping skills, thereby requiring continuing professional clinical support.
8. Knowledge of correctional nursing concepts and principles.
9. Demonstrated evidence of knowledge of nursing management and leadership skills.
10. Knowledge of team building principles.
11. Knowledge of staff development and basic adult learner teaching skills.
12. Maintains clinical professional skills via continuing education opportunities.
13. Ability to assess patients' needs and coordinate the appropriate nursing care plan.
14. Demonstrates leadership and willingness/ability to assume an increased level of responsibility: may be tasked to function as Team Lead.
15. Superior oral/written communication skills.
16. Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
17. Critical thinking and analytical skills with ability to navigate complex systems.
18. Demonstrates strong problem solving, judgment, and decision-making skills.
19. Flexibility and ability to adapt to sudden changes in schedules and work requirements.
20. Ability to plan and organize own workload and travel schedule utilizing IHSC travel policies.
21. Performs as a punctual and dependent employee for assigned shifts.
22. Required to provide direct patient care to support local nursing operation-at least 50% travel for temporary duty assignments (TDY) within IHSC.
23. Intermediate or advanced knowledge of computerized databases, sources, and reporting methodologies. Proficiency in MS Office applications preferred.
24. Follows supervisory chain of command.
25. Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
26. Bilingual communication capability. Spanish preferred, but not required.

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position. | You must successfully pass a background investigation. | You must successfully pass a drug screen. | Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service. | Requirements by Closing Date: Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement. | Service Remaining Requirement Agreement: Upon appointment to this position, officers will be required to serve a new 18-month commitment to IHSC . | ASSIGNMENT PAY AGREEMENT: You must not have a current Assignment Pay Agreement. However, if you have a current Assignment Pay Agreement, it must be fulfilled within 90 days of your application submission. | Applicants must be a current USPHS Commissioned Corps Officer who works at IHSC. USPHS Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates are not eligible for this position. Civilians are not eligible for this position. | PHS officers must participate in IHSC TDY On-Call Schedule (ITOS.) ITOS is either an entire month or two 16-day periods a year where, depending on the needs of the agency, the officer is required to be available to serve.