Practical Nurse - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Licensed Practical Nurse Joint Base San Antonio

Time to invest in some new footwear because if you’re San Antonio-bound, you’d better show up in boots! The Alamo City is one of the military’s most envied postings and is often referred to as “Military City USA”. Low cost of living, affordable homes, and the lack of state tax on retirement income are a few financial perks to living and retiring in this Texas city. A robust job market that seems partial to government and defense/security contracting ensures employment opportunities for spouses or transitioning service members. San Antonio is the country’s seventh fastest growing city yet has somehow managed to retain a “small town feel.” Quality schools and friendly locals (most with military ties) are additional  perks to living in San Antonio.

Some things you should know before you get here: trucks are the norm (the bigger, the better), love for The Spurs (NBA) runs deep, the H-E-B obsession is real (it’s a grocery store), rodeos are life, and don’t call it “San Antone”—that’s just wrong. The community boasts a vibrant Hispanic population, and enhances everything from the food, to the music, to community events. You don’t necessarily need to speak Spanish to get around, but you’d better know how to say barbacoa, tamales, and cascarones.

Name brand shopping (IKEA is the latest arrival of note), restaurants, and all variety of entertainment all add to San Antonio’s quality of life. SeaWorld, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and downtown museums are all fun outings for kids and families. Tube or kayak down a river, play or fish in the lakes, or relax by San Antonio’s famous downtown River Walk. Museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks—remember The Alamo?—round out San Antonio’s cultural offerings. Tex-mex cuisine arguably originated here, and some up and coming culinary trendsetters are making a name for themselves in the Pearl District downtown, alongside several notable breweries.

San Antonio has over 300 days of sunshine with some hot summers, mild winters and pleasant spring and fall seasons. San Antonio is in Bexar County (it’s pronounced “BEAR”) in south central Texas, and is just south of the gorgeous Hill Country. It’s only about two hours from Austin, the beach, or the desert.

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/

As a Practical Nurse you will:

Obtains information from patient and/or family to identify major complaints, symptoms, or reason for seeking health care. Takes all vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, respirations, pain level, height, weight, measurement of head circumference, and length); performs a behavioral health screening. Documents patients' chief complaints and other pertinent information in the health record. Documentation will also include medication reconciliation, screening tools, and behavioral health intake surveys. Participates in promoting patient compliance with health activities in accordance with RESPECT-Mil. Coordinates and facilitates follow-up care, communicates relevant information according to the medical plan of care and nursing assessment, and documents accordingly in the health record.

 Provides individualized nursing care to patients of all ages based upon the physician’s medical care plan, the nursing assessment, and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the patient. Assists the physician with various examinations and diagnostic procedures. Sets up and maintains a sterile field; understands the proper positioning of patients required for various procedures. Administers oxygen, IV fluid and prescribed oral, rectal, subcutaneous and intramuscular medications. Performs inhalation treatments, finger-stick glucose, urine dipsticks, visual acuity, phlebotomy, dressing changes, and surgical instrument cleaning and packaging after use. Educates patients and family members on childcare and school requirements for children on medications. Assures accurate care and handling of specimens. Performs routine procedures, such as EKGs, eye, throat, nasal and/or wound cultures, dressing changes, ear irrigation, and application of bandages. Recognizes adverse signs and symptoms immediately and calls for assistance and if the situation warrants it, performs CPR immediately. Sets up, operates and monitors specialized equipment, such as cardiac monitor, defibrillator, etc. Assists with complete examinations dealing with the surety missions.


Screens and reviews immunization records IAW AR 40-562 and unit Standard Operating Procedures to select required immunizations, correct dosages, and routes of administration. Review requires transcription of information to medical records and official school forms. Documents administration on SF 601 and PSH 731, IAW AR 40-562 in AHLTA or manually. Administrative duties include inputting data into the computer and retrieving information such as laboratory and diagnostic procedure results. Other computer related duties include the use of the Composite Health Care System (CHCS), the completion of workload accountability documents through the Ambulatory Data System (ADS forms) on same day service and Medpros entry. Documents administration utilizing IAW Ambulatory Quality Assurance criteria.


 Administers oral, intra-dermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular immunizations to all age groups IAW established protocols. Maintains accountability for actions and control of vaccines. Documents interventions and patients’ response to care. Communicates relevant information to healthcare team. Recognizes signs and symptoms of untoward effects of immunization and/or allergen extracts. Maintains certification in Basic Cardiac Life Support and demonstrates ability to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the event of an anaphylactic reaction and/or cardiopulmonary arrest.


 Performs teaching to patients and/or family regarding self-care procedures and documents teaching. Instructs parents/guardians regarding normal verses adverse reactions to immunizations and treatment for normal reactions of discomfort. Reviews laboratory results and brings abnormal results to attention of physician. Per physician’s instruction, telephones patient regarding follow-up required and documents in records. Performs patient education for special needs such as medication administration, inhaler and spacer use, self dressing changes, ostomy care, finger-stick and glucose meter use, drawing up and injection of insulin and glucagon, and asthma home monitoring with peak flow meters and nebulizer use. Educates patients and family members on childcare and school requirements for children on medications. Completes necessary paperwork for school (sick slips, asthma care plan, etc.), for provider signature. Also teaches patients early warning signs for early detection of diseases.


 Performs both administrative and logistical tasks as a member of the healthcare team for the clinic by contributing to maintaining the environment and resources to deliver healthcare. Reviews expiration dates for medications, vaccines, and supplies; and initiates the reorder. Coordinates with designated clinic administrative staff for maintenance of adequate vaccines and supply levels. In the absence of the medical receptionist, assists with the responsibilities for checking patients into the system, completion of records and other clerical duties as assigned. Reviews laboratory results and brings abnormal results to the attention of the physician and per physician’s instructions, telephones patients regarding any follow-up care that is required. Duties include the use of automated systems (i.e. Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), Composite Health Care System (CHCS), Medical Operational Data System (MODS) and the Medical Protection system (MEDPROS). Reviews chart for coding compliance and ensures all procedures are documented to obtain accurate capture of workload. Attends mandatory training as directed by supervisor or command. Will be trained in documenting adverse medication reactions in the VAERS or local system. Participates in and may coordinate performance improvement activities.

US Citizenship required

Special incentives that may be authorized include: recruitment/relocation incentive; student loan repayment; and advance in-hire

A current license to practice as a practical or vocational nurse in a State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.

At least one year of experience which prepared you to do the work in this job.