SUMMARY:
The Registered Nurse (RN) plans and provides comprehensive nursing care including, but not limited to, executing Licensed Independent Provider’s orders, dispensing and administering medications, and assisting Licensed Independent Provider in examinations and treatment of patients. Applies nursing and supervisory techniques required in the care, treatment and referrals of inmates/residents. Performs all technical/clinical procedures within the scope of his/her education and licensure.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The successful applicant should be able to perform ALL of the following functions at a pace and level of performance consistent with the actual job performance requirements.
Apply appropriate nursing skills in the area and treatment of inmates/residents.
Attend sick call with the physician to see inmates/residents; prepare a list of inmates/residents to be examined; prepare examining room and equipment.
Operate pill call, dispense medication and document as required by applicable policies and/or procedures.
Call the Licensed Independent Providers for medication and treatment orders, and/or other emergencies.
Examine and assess new inmates/residents with illnesses or injuries or inmates/residents who become ill or injured; refer inmates/residents to the emergency room or other appropriate healthcare facility as required by their condition.
Perform emergency procedures as needed and notify Licensed Independent Provider for treatment orders.
Assist in monitoring the provision of all required contractual services.
Assist in coordinating professional medical services provided by contract personnel and seeing that their needs are addressed.
Monitor, as directed, inmate/resident inpatient hospitalizations for early releases whenever appropriate.
Keep equipment and work area clean; use or direct the use of appropriate sanitation methods.
Provide guidance, supervise and monitor nursing care provided by licensed vocational/practical nursing staff and non-licensed medical staff.
Maintain a good working relationship with facility staff, nursing staff, contract providers and outside provider agencies.
Utilize established corporate, facility and correctional policies and procedures in making decisions, but use sound independent judgment in meeting the responsibilities and performing the duties of the position.
Regularly evaluate the provision of medical services to prevent the inappropriate use, or duplication of those services.
Maintain absolute security and confidentiality of all medical records.
Assist Health Service Administrator with the review of medical files to determine all provided services are documented.
Closely monitor all potential catastrophic illnesses.
Recommend methods of improving operational efficiency and cost effectiveness of health-related services.
Audit pharmacy use for adherence to formulary, as directed or required.
Comply with all applicable pharmacy laws, especially those covering controlled substances.
Observe and record inmate/resident behavior.
Inspect the medical unit for items that could be used as contraband by inmate/residents; securely store or safely dispose of supplies and equipment.
Accept on call status, as needed.
Provide health counseling and health education on individual or group basis, as required.
Assist Health Service Administrator to prepare and maintain a variety of standard narrative, statistical, summary and/or operational records, reports and logs, using appropriate grammar, to include filing, alphabetizing and labeling; properly process all reports and documents in a timely manner.
Routinely review subordinates’ payroll documents and use of overtime.
Read, analyze, comprehend and interpret medical and technical procedures, governmental regulations, legal and non-legal documents, including the processing of such documents as medical instructions, commitment orders, summons and other legal writs.
Review, process and respond (via corporate counsel) to lawsuits; attend court hearings, when necessary; conduct research of charts; review status of inmates/residents with serious health problems for completion of all necessary intervention and treatment.
Attend scheduled staff meetings; promote communications and the proper flow of relevant information in the medical unit.
Participate in multi-disciplinary committees to promote and monitor quality of health care services.
Evaluate and recommend physical safety requirements necessary to provide a safe working environment for both patients and staff.
Facilitate, where applicable, NCCHC/ACA/JCAHO accreditation of the medical program by providing the required level of efficiency and approved, appropriate medical services.
Prepare and disseminate safety and accident reports as required by policies and procedures; take appropriate action in cases of serious and unusual incidents and emergencies.
Endeavor to comply with the requirements of applicable regulations, laws, rules, procedures, policies, standards and/or contract.
Escort inmates/residents or coordinate the movement of inmates/residents to and from different areas for medical treatment.
Properly chart medical care.
Communicate effectively and coherently to administration, staff, inmates/residents, visitors and the general public, particularly in situations requiring tact, diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness and good judgment. This includes interviewing applicants, giving information, instructions and directions, mediating disputes, advising of rights and processes and providing reliable testimony, in court and other formal settings.
Reliably and repetitively identify inmates/residents by visual means.
Perform searches of people and objects capable of concealing contraband, which will involve detecting and identifying objects.
Engage in functions in confined areas that include such things as working rotating shifts and physically checking the doors, windows and other areas to verify they are secure.
Be aware that verbal abuse may be present with the hostile views and opinions of inmates/residents and others encountered in an antagonistic environment.
Take appropriate action to prevent or diffuse potentially disruptive situations.
Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include administering basic emergency medical aid, securing and evacuating people from confined areas.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with others and handle difficult interpersonal contacts.
Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Remain alert at all times and react quickly, efficiently and calmly in emergency and other high stress situations.
Perform other duties as assigned by Health Service Supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduate from an accredited college, university or nursing program with a degree/diploma in nursing. Must possess current licensure in the state of employment. One year of professional nursing experience preferred. A valid driver’s license is required.