REGISTERED NURSE

Under the general supervision of the Director of Nursing, and Assistant Director of Nursing, this position is responsible and accountable for coordinating the activities and providing clinical expertise for the care of an assigned patient load, utilizing the Standards of Care of Nursing Practice. The RN provides direct patient care as needed during their shift.

• Record and report patient body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, weight, pain scale, and medical history in the electronic health record
• Provide basic patient care and treatments, such as taking temperatures and blood pressure, dressing wounds, treating pressure ulcers, performing catheterizations, starting IV's
• Provides for emotional and physical comfort and safety of inmates; assist with activities of daily living with special attention to therapeutic significance; triage inmates for sick call
• Provides monitoring and/or observation of at-risk individuals
• Provide comprehensive nursing care to inmates based on physicians' medical care plan and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the inmate
• Provide information and education on the disease process, pre and postoperative care, procedures, safety factor, use of equipment, use of medications and health maintenance issued
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations. Ensure adequate emergency supplies and medications are available
• Ensuring the ordering, reviewing, monitoring, discontinuation and, if necessary, the disposal of medications as prescribed by the provider
• Utilizes problem oriented medical record (SOAP format) to document all inmate contacts; maintains confidentiality of all inmate healthcare interactions
• Collect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples
• Formulate nursing care plans; conducts health screenings, history and physical assessments
• Informs jail security staff of special medical needs and conditions of inmates as needed
• Provides staff training when scheduled and assume leadership responsibilities as assigned

by the Director of Nursing and/or Assistant Director of Nursing in his/her absences

• Carries out designated nursing procedures, including administration of medications, assisting in the planning and formulation of nursing care plans; observes records and reports symptoms, reactions and changes in the conditions of all inmates; provides care based upon inmate need/condition
• Attends educational classes as required by the license as well as accreditation standards
• Accurately documents required medication administration, and nursing assessments/encounters in electronic medical record
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.EDUCATION:

Required:

• Associate of Science in Nursing Degree
• Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Texas
• Current BLS/CPR Certification

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Current and valid Texas driver's license and a safe driving record
• 1 year experience in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environment such as public health, urgent care, acute care, or long term rehabilitation setting
• Must maintain personal loyalty to the Sheriff
• Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environment
• Ability to competently perform the following services: crisis intervention, medical emergencies, physical assessment, medical nursing care, and psychiatric nursing care
• Expertise in making assessment/diagnoses and appropriate follow-through care and treatment, good decision making, organizational and time management skills
• Ability to follow organizational procedures, policies, practices, rules and regulations governing activities of the administrative functions and their interpretations
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, Outlook
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public
• Working knowledge of medications, drugs, and narcotics and their effects
• Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times
• Maintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdiction
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

Preferred:

• Knowledge and experience in correctional healthcare operations to include NCCHC, ACA, and FMJS accreditation standards

Disqualifiers:

• Undesirable character or reputation
• A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States
• Conviction including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years
• Arrested for DWI or DUI in the past ten (10) years
• Currently under indictment for any criminal offense
• Sold or manufactured any illegal drugs
• Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offense
• Discharge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad character

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Contact with "at risk" clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general public
• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Climate-controlled environment. Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employees
• Risk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in handwashing practices and Universal Precautions and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipated

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel
• Must be able to safely lift 20 lbs.
• Although directed not to engage in physical contact with inmates, individual must be able to physically avoid combative or aggressive inmates and may occasionally become involuntarily engaged with combative inmates

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts.