Registered Nurse (RN)

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. *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 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. *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. *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. *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. *Read, analyze, comprehend and interpret medical and technical procedures, governmental regulations, legal and non-legal documents. *Review, process and respond (via corporate counsel) to lawsuits; attend court hearings, when necessary. *Evaluate and recommend physical safety requirements necessary to provide a safe working environment. *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. *Escort inmates/residents or coordinate the movement of inmates/residents to and from different areas for medical treatment. *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. *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.