Registered Nurse

The Jail Registered Nurse provides individualized skilled nursing care to inmates in the correctional facility to promote and improve inmate health. This is accomplished through the use of standard nursing processes in triage, professional training, and other various resources in accordance with regulatory agencies and established best practice guidelines.

These examples do not include all possible responsibilities in this position and do not limit the assignment of related duties to this classification.

• Be familiar with and know how to utilize facility policies and national correctional health care standards.
• Perform inmate assessment and treatment at sick call as needed.
• Identify potential health issues and facilitate medical screening.
• Review and assess prescribed medications brought in by inmates.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with the Jail Medical Program team. This team includes medical providers, nurses, health techs, administrative assistants, and jail administration. The nurse is also responsible for communicating between the medical unit and the correctional staff in the jail.
• Accountable for the daily documentation, tracking, procedures, orders, medications, and follow-up of the inmates' care.
• Check and record vital signs; obtains specimens from inmate patients for diagnostic testing.
• Coordinate and administer medication and treatment to inmates.
• Report treatment and medication reactions.
• Monitor changes in the inmate emotional or physical conditions.
• Institute communicable disease screening measures as directed.
• Assist physicians, dentists, or other medical personnel with treatment.
• Assist the health technician prepare medication carts for distribution to inmates.
• Educate inmates and correctional staff regarding medication side effects or symptoms.
• Maintain all medical records related to health and medical screening and medical treatment administered to inmates while incarcerated.
• Record all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms.
• Performs other duties as assigned or become apparent.

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Valid state issued driver's license.
• Associate's degree or higher in nursing.
• Current RN registration with MN Board of Nursing.
• CPR Certification
• Intermediate proficiency with software applications including Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Prior work experience in triage, primary care clinics, emergency room, or correctional health facility.
• Public health nurse certification.
• Active Certified Correctional Health Professional.
• Knowledge of Minnesota Department of Corrections (Chapter 2911) Rules Governing Adult Detention Facilities.
• Knowledge of inmate rights.
• The ability to deal with hostile or difficult inmates.
• The ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of people.
• Knowledge of County and departmental policies, rules and regulations.
• Ability to learn the security features needed to work safely in this setting, which includes but not limited to: secured doors and radio communications.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in crisis situations.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of basic life saving techniques.