Registered Nurse

Position Summary:

The Registered Nurse is responsible for providing professional nursing care, oversight of individual plans of care, preliminary and ongoing health assessments for inmates and detainees within the Barnstable County Correctional Facility following established standards and practices and in accordance with security procedures of the facility. The Registered Nurse will also function as an information resource to staff on health issues.

Supervision Received:

Receives direct supervision from the Sheriff, Special Sheriff, Superintendent, Director of Health Services, and supervising Psychiatrist,in performing duties in accordance with all best practices and Physician/Medical Director guidelines.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsible for care and custody, instruction and health related teaching of inmates detained or sentenced to the Barnstable County Correctional Facility.

Performs initial and ongoing nursing assessments and provides treatment, teaching, and/or referral to medical providers in accordance with facility- established Nursing Protocols and Medical provider orders.

Documents assessments and interventions in accordance with providers’ orders and nursing standards.

Completes documentation as required by facility and practice standards.

Performs Sick Call triaging inmate requests for medical and mental health needs.

Directly provides and/or ensures inmate ongoing education regarding their medical conditions, diagnosis, management of such and prevention of complications and healthy life strategies.

Assists and collaborates with the providers and nurses regarding sick call needs and all aspects of patient care.

Communicates with the Director of Health Services, medical provider, and Shift Supervisors to ensure medical conditions are treated and considered in facility processes.

Provides emergency medical care and triage (in collaboration with HCP when able) within the scope of nursing practice to inmates and staff when needed.

Maintains the confidentiality and accuracy of all inmate residents’ medical records.

Assists in ordering, receiving, returning, and accounting for medications from the pharmacy and assists in communicating the need for stock items to the Director of Health Services.

Distributes medications in accordance with medical providers’ orders, BCSO policies and procedures and nursing standards.

Communicates inmate health issues with health care providers, mental health clinicians, other nursing staff, Dir of Health Services and security staff as needed.

Develops, implements, evaluates, and modifies plans of nursing care for all inmates.

Supervises care provided by Licensed Practical Nurses, EMT’s and Medical Assistants to overseeing inmate individual plans of care.

Coordinates all special medical diets with health care providers and food service staff.

Reviews all health- related documentation from external sources and collaborates with the medical provider regarding external consult/providers recommendations for changes in care.

Delivers instruction on general health and wellness topics to inmates in individual and/or group settings.

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee in this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Job Competencies:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Working knowledge of office practices.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Advanced knowledge of medical terminology and best practices.

General knowledge of medical records best practices.

Organized with attention to detail.

Ability to maintain good attendance.

Excellent interpersonal skills.

Ability to prioritize and problem solve in a high-pressure environment.

Ability to exercise discretion and good judgement and to handle confidential information.

Ability to maintain all certifications as necessary.

Ability to attend necessary trainings as required.