Address
Form of work
SalaryPosition Summary
$5,000 Sign on Bonus
Your job in the department is to . . .
Provide comprehensive health maintenance, preventive and primary medical care and treatment for adult inmates in a county corrections facility and for juveniles in a county juvenile corrections facility under the supervision of a local physician. This position also provides nursing care to inmates who have mental disorders during their confinement. The Corrections Health Nurse will respond to day-to-day medical issues with each inmate and respond to medical emergencies. Must be able to work in a correctional facility environment and treat inmates with respect.
Your job also involves . . .
Assisting in the operation of the health care unit and in the development, direction, coordination, and evaluation of professional nursing practices under the direction of the Sergeant. Assumes responsibility for operation of the unit in the absence of management staff.
Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities
JOB FUNCTIONS
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS are critical and fundamental responsibilities of the position of all Corrections Health Nurse. The incumbent must be able to perform these functions with or without reasonable accommodation. A Corrections Health Nurses will follow the six standards of practice:
- Assessment – Conducts and documents initial and ongoing comprehensive and focused nursing assessments of the health status of patients by: Collecting objective and subjective data from observations, examinations, interviews, and written records in an accurate and timely manner as appropriate to the patient’s health care needs and context of care. Distinguishing abnormal from normal data, analyzing, recording and reporting the data. Detecting inaccurate, incomplete or missing patient information and reporting such. Recognizing changes in patient status. Assesses patients’ physical and emotional condition to assure patients a safe, sanitary and therapeutic environment according to established procedures, especially patients in restraints, seclusion, protective devices or on special observation precautions.
- Diagnosis and Priorities – Analysis of the assessment data to derive a nursing diagnosis and priorities. Documents diagnoses or concerns in a manner that facilitates the patient’s involvement in developing a plan of care.
- Outcomes identification – Based on the diagnosis the Corrections Health Nurse will identify outcomes that are culturally relevant, health literate, based in evidence and attainable through local resources and policies. Document expected outcomes and measurable objectives.
- Planning – Develop and coordinate a comprehensive plan of nursing care to maintain continuity of treatment and develop focused plans of nursing care, including selecting appropriate nursing interventions and strategies, especially for patients with chronic medical problems or serious and persistent mental illness. Develops nursing orders. Document the plan using health literate and culturally competent language that can be understood by the care team and patient.
- Implementation – The Corrections Health Nurse oversees the implementation of the plan through treatment, case management, referrals to community partners, collaboration with community resources, health promotion and educates patients concerning diet, hygiene, long term effects of alcohol and drug abuse, and methods of prevention of disease. Implements the plan of care by administering medical and nursing treatments including giving medications, titrating medications, daily detox assessments and handling dressing changes; also monitors and evaluates vital signs. Documents activities and status of care coordination.
Additional job responsibilities:
- Documentation – The Corrections Health Nurse will document medical history including current medical problems, allergies, on-going medications, and treatment of patients, using an electronic medical records program. As well as nursing interventions and responses to care in an accurate, timely, thorough, and clear manner. All prescription drug use for patients will be documented according to established drug recordkeeping practices in an electronic medical records program.
- Medication - Provides sound pharmacology dispensing practices, including drug identification, drug reaction, side effects and proper dosage. Administers medications (including Methadone and Buprenorphine) and maintains service records in accordance with DEA, Federal and State rule and regulations.
- Equipment - Evaluates and monitors medical supplies to ensure availability of appropriate supplies, accurate accounting and secure storage, including maintenance of narcotic, needle and syringe counts. Evaluates new and replacement medical equipment; operates equipment necessary for the provision of patient care, monitors equipment to ensure that it is in good working condition. Prepares equipment and assists physician and/or physicians’ assistant during examination and treatment. Maintains equipment so it is ready for the next use.
- Emergencies - Responds to emergency situations and takes charge of scene until EMT arrives if physician/physicians’ assistant is not on scene. Implements emergency measures, interpretation of medical orders and ensures follow-up on any referrals made.
OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS are those duties that are performed either very infrequently or could be performed by others without altering the underlying reason the job exists.
- Attends and participates in team meetings, trainings and activities to further the health of the community.
- Provides training to staff of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Juvenile Detention Center and the Pretrial TAPS house on various topics such as First Aid/AED/CPR, Narcan and other patient specific health care training to Corrections Deputies such as medication administration, detox issues, labor and birth symptoms.
Typical Qualifications
Minimum Education Level
Associates and/or Professional Certification
Specifics: Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from an accredited school of nursing; or an associate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
Minimum Experience Level
None
Specifics: Experience as a RN is not required however, 3 years’ experience as a non-licensed or licensed care giver preferred.
Compensation Note: Those with verified translation abilities are also eligible for additional incentive.
Substitution Note: Any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the ability to perform the job.
Certifications
Certification(s) required
Specifics: Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification is required.
Driver’s License
Oregon Driver's License required
Specifics: Position requires use of county vehicles.
Other Licenses
Professional License required
Specifics: Must possess a current unencumbered license to practice nursing in the State of Oregon as a Registered Professional Nurse, in accordance with ORS 678.010 to 678.360 at the time of appointment. Must possess a valid insurable Oregon motor vehicle license with good driving record, or ability to obtain within 30 days date of hire.
Desirable Qualifications:
Must be knowledgeable and in compliance with PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act) and HIPPA (Health Insurance Privacy and Portability Act). Must be free of conviction of a crime designated under the law where the conviction occurred as being punishable as a felony or as a crime for which a maximum term of imprisonment of more than one (1) year may be imposed; or of violating any law involving the unlawful use, possession, delivery, or manufacture of a controlled substance, narcotic, or dangerous drug. Dishonorable or undesirable discharge from the military is cause for disqualification. Must be able to pass a law enforcement background check. A psychological assessment will also be administered. Employees are required to reside within two hours of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Knowledge of:
- All areas of general healthcare services, including medical record keeping practices.
- The principles, practices, methods and procedures of nursing as applied to primary care.
- The uses and effects of medications, narcotics, and immunizations provided in a correctional facility; considerable knowledge of issues related to alcohol and drug abuse and psychopathology.
- All clinical skills, including physical assessment and interpretation of lab tests.
- Public health laws and regulations.
- Functions and resources of private and public agencies.
- Computer functions (i.e. email, word documents, electronic medical records, forms, spreadsheets, etc.)
Skill or ability to:
- Exercise considerable judgment, to recognize problems outside of this role and refer appropriately.
- Work with a diverse population from pediatrics to geriatrics and analyze health problems.
- Utilize community resources.
- Identify community and individual health problems and to plan and administer solutions.
- Plan and evaluate for a wide variety of health issues.
- Administer medications and immunizations.
- Interpret and apply written policies, procedures, protocols, directives, and guidelines.
- Establish and maintain accurate, legible and complete records of patient care, including chart documentation, objective data collection, treatment provided, evaluation of treatment effectiveness, patient education provided.
- Learn new information quickly and adapt to changing situations.
- Provide professional nursing care independently and courteously meet and deal with patients.
- Communicate clearly both orally and in writing at a highly skilled level.
- Prioritize work within the Corrections Health Service office to meet numerous deadlines.
- Function as a member of the healthcare team to collaborate in the development, implementation and evaluation of integrated client-centered plans of care.
- Carry out physicians/dentists/nurse practitioners, and physicians’ assistant orders.
- Act in a professional manner and to understand and commit to a professional code of ethics. Establishes and maintains positive and professional working relationships with management, coworkers, customers, medical facilities and other agencies. As well as, develop and maintain effective working relationships with staff, supervisors, the public, and professionals in related disciplines.
- Organize, plan and prioritize work to complete within required time frames and to follow-up on pending issues.
- Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information including confidentiality of records as well as deal with sensitive issues, such as HIV testing and counseling, pregnancy testing and counseling.
- Prioritize work within the Corrections Health Service office to meet numerous deadlines.
- Interact with others, be aware of safety and security issues, be cognizant of surroundings and possible dangerous situations, and perform mobility requirements of the position.
- Respond to medical emergencies in a potentially hazardous and life-threatening environment.
- Perform multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in dynamic fast-paced environments and under pressure.
- Work alone in satellite offices.
- Prepare information for and testify in court cases.
- Maintain awareness of safety regulations and procedures at all times. And the ability to work with inmates.
- Identifies medical needs of Medication Assisted Treatment clients and reports these to the Facility Physician.
- Convey information, ideas, and facts both orally and in writing to supervisors, colleagues, and individuals, inside and outside the County, using language and a format the audience will best understand.
- Utilize computers and other technology to communicate in written and verbal forms (e.g., word processing, texts, emails, spreadsheets, department-specific software).
- Effectively relate well with others, including supervisors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the County. Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with others and working to maintain constructive working relationships.
- Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Show up to work on time, and follows instructions, policies, and procedures. Meet productivity standards, deadlines, and work schedules.
Job Conditions and Physical Demands
WORKING CONDITIONS
Job Conditions: Works with potentially dangerous subjects. May work a varied schedule. Work is primarily indoors, often noisy, confined, crowded, hazardous and potentially high risk. Restricted to work area with violent and combative arrestees/inmates while maintaining composure and professionalism. Exposure to abusive language, personal and familial threats and possibility of physical assaults. Some risk of exposure to chemical restraint agents, electronic immobilization devices, and other methods or equipment used in a correctional setting to bring patients’ behavior to within acceptable limits. May require sitting for extended periods of time, moderate keyboarding, climbing stairs, and walking from area to area repeatedly. Potential for contact with persons infected with a variety of communicable diseases including Tuberculosis, MRSA, Lice, Hepatitis, HIV and AIDS. Works in an environment with little natural lighting or direct ventilation.
Work Location: Lincoln County
Travel: Required to travel to within Lincoln County to the Juvenile Corrections Facility, Lab and Pharmacy in personal vehicle. Occasional overnight travel for participation in conferences or trainings in county owned vehicle or personal vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to operate equipment, visual acuity necessary for performing necessary functions of the job; ambulatory ability to walk and run while at work. Requires speech and auditory abilities sufficient to carry on conversations and project voice among large crowds. Sufficient hand/eye coordination to operate a computer keyboard and recognize words and numbers.
Applicants must pass a medical exam and physical abilities test prior to appointment. Vision: Corrected vision must be at least 20/30 (Snellen) when tested using both eyes together. Hearing: Achieve a Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) of no greater than 25 dB for each ear.
Requires capability to handle high mobility demands and complex personal interactions
- Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert very moderate physical effort in light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds). Tasks involve the ability to walk, run and sit for extended periods.
- Sensory Requirements: Tasks regularly require visual perception and discrimination. Most tasks require oral communications ability. Most tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds.
- Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents. Tasks are regularly performed with possible exposure to violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Lincoln County is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and essential functions expected of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
On-call, temporary, and certain grant-funded positions are not eligible for employee benefits unless specified otherwise at the time of hire. Part-time positions working 0 - 19 hours per week are also not eligible for employee benefits.
