Occupational Health Registered Nurse

CHENEGA PRO FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, LLC

Gaithersburg, Maryland

The Registered Nurse – Occupational Health will work with the Office of Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE), the Office of Human Resources (OHRM), and NIST first-line supervisors/hiring managers to review all NIST position classifications/position descriptions to standardize the medical requirements/physical requirements for the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) form OF-178, Certificate of Medical Examination. Will assist with performing physical exams, providing direct patient care including first aid and routine inquiries, ergonomic assessments, administering immunizations and vaccines, and assisting with other occupational health services as needed.

Responsibilities:

• Performs portions of physical examination, e.g., weight, height, blood pressure, EKG, vision, hearing, cancer screening, etc.
• Administers emergency care for illnesses and injuries of both occupational and non-occupational origin. Evaluates each incident as it occurs and decides whether the injury/illness can be effectively treated in the Health Unit, transported immediately by ambulance to a hospital, or stabilized in the Health Unit and later transported to a hospital. Administer cardiac emergency care as per current Advanced Cardiac Life Support guidelines, to include use of intravenous equipment ready to use to keep vein open and prepare proper medications to give as ordered by the Physician Assistant. Administers oxygen when needed and otherwise assist the Physician Assistant as necessary. Administers CPR if necessary.
• Administers treatments and medications deemed necessary after evaluating a problem, e.g., treatment for thermal, electrical and chemical burns; administering hot or cold compresses to injuries as appropriate; ear irrigations for removal of cerumen; etc.
• Follows up on serious or acute conditions, compensable injuries, chronic illnesses, etc., by contacting/, physicians, dentists, clinics, hospitals, personnel specialists and supervisors. Follow ups include throat cultures, injuries requiring sutures, T.B. tests, post exposure surveillance, casts/splints, status of injury cases, etc.
• Responsible for venipuncture and proper handling/preparation of specimens and proper request forms for special chemistries sent to commercial labs for analysis; performs and/or arranges for lab work in connection with the occupational health surveillance program for exposures such as but not necessarily limited to asbestos, benzene, lead, mercury, radiation, biological agents, chemical agents affecting cholinesterase enzyme, etc., and such procedures as liver function studies.
• Routinely perform testing, 12 lead EKG. Requires proper preparation of patient, standardizing equipment, cutting, and mounting of strips and recognition of abnormal pattern.
• Conducts pulmonary function tests utilizing spirometer. Calculates vital capacity, forced expiratory volume and forced expiratory flow.
• Participates in special purpose preventive health programs such as diabetes and hypertension screening, etc.
• Advises employees preparing for foreign travel assignments on immunizations and other medical concerns related to the country or region of destination. This includes tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis vaccine and arranges for gamma globulin and other vaccines as required; dispenses water purification tablets and chloroquine sulfate for areas where malaria is of concern; dispenses to and instructs traveler regarding anti-diarrheal medication; explains jet lag and dispenses medications for sleeping problems.
• As part of the allergy program, instructs employees on Health Unit requirements, implements proper procedures, administers and titrates doses, treats adverse reactions, and consults Medical Officer or allergist as necessary.
• In connection with the NIST-EAP, is able to recognize employee psychological problems when employees come to Health Unit for blood pressure checks and other health services. Refers such employees to the EAP counselor for follow-up.
• Assists with other health services related duties as requested by the Physician Assistant, including removal of sutures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in Nursing from an accredited program.
• Possess and maintain a valid and unrestricted Registered Nurse license in the state of Maryland
• Possess and maintain for the duration of the contract a valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
• Possess and maintain for the duration of the contract a valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification.
• Possess and maintain for the duration of the contract a valid Occupational Hearing Conservation (certified by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation) (CAOHC) OR ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Satisfactorily completed a training course in spirometry sponsored by an appropriate academic or professional institution OR ability to complete within 90 days of employment
• Possess and maintain a Certification as an Occupational Health Nurse (COHN). Or ability to obtain COHN certification within 180 days of employment.
• Minimum one (1) year of recent full time experience as an Occupational Health Nurse in an occupational health setting having a full range of industrial/laboratory hazards

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in Microsoft Word Suite.
• Shall have knowledge, skill and experience required to routinely perform venipuncture, EKG's, Pulmonary Function Tests, Audiometric Exams and Visual Acuity Exams.