Correctional Staff Nurse - Shift

Definition

Under general direction of a registered nurse, within the scope of their licensure, assist physicians in a correctional facility performing nursing assessments, screening, planning, implementation and evaluation of safe, therapeutic care for persons incarcerated with Kern County correctional facilities.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Correctional Staff Nurse classification includes Correctional Staff Nurses who are employed by Kern Medical Center and assigned to Adult correctional medicine facilities. Correctional Staff Nurses provide basic and emergency health care services to persons housed within Kern County correctional facilities. The Correctional Staff Nurse classification can be distinguished from the Hospital Staff Nurse series by assignment in a locked detention facility with (1) clients of various cultural, physical, behavioral and psychological profiles; (2) extended exposure to odors, fumes, noises, behaviors and medical conditions associated with detention facilities; and (3) the constant threat or risk of verbal abuse and injury. This classification ranges from entry level in the Correctional Staff Nurse (CSN) to the journey level experienced in correctional nursing, performing patient care with limited supervision.

Essential Functions

• Collects, interprets and documents data to determine whether incarcerated persons have physiological and/or psychosocial risk factors.
• Records and reports assessment data and makes appropriate referrals.
• Communicates and collaborates with physician and allied health professionals in setting priorities for care of patients.
• Implements therapeutic care for patients responding to needs due to multisystem disease or complications of treatment.
• Performs intake, ongoing assessments and screenings.
• Treats patients according to appropriate standardized procedures and scope of service.
• Implements orders written by Physicians or allied health professionals.
• Manages and treats contagious and sexually transmitted diseases as recommended by the Kern County Health Department and as ordered by the physicians or allied health professionals.
• Performs quality assurance monitoring and analyzes results and participates in process improvement for identified problems.
• Accepts assignments and floats to other facilities according to the needs of the Correctional Medicine Department as instructed by the clinical director, clinical supervisor or designee.
• Anticipates patient care problems and responds to changes on the unit by prioritizing for emergencies, changes in patient status and unusual occurrences.
• Performs and documents the nursing process consistent with scientific principle and hospital policy as required by patient assignment.
• Enters pertinent information in the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) as applicable.
• Schedules appointments for incarcerated person to see physicians, allied health professionals or others as appropriate.
• Administers and assists with monitoring the Self Administration Medication program (SAM) or other programs as available or designated.
• Practices personal safety awareness, as well as advocates for incarcerated persons’ safety as appropriate for a correctional environment.
• Responds to changes in the facility, such as, but not limited to: lock downs, inmate and ward altercations, riots, medical priorities, quarantines and exposure to chemical restraints.
• Assists in the orientation and training of new staff, completes all competencies, mandatory classes and educational coursework as required by the correctional facility and Kern Medical Center.
• Maintains confidentiality as prescribed in regulation (Title 15, HIPAA, and the Penal Code).

Employment Standards

• Possession of a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse by the State of California.
• One (1) year experience as a Registered Nurse, OR One (1) year of vocational nursing experience providing direct patient care in correctional health care setting.
• Possess a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire.
• As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Provider certification and competency.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Theory, techniques and practices of nursing; Medical terminology, instruments and equipment; The uses and effects of medicines and narcotics.

Ability to: Follow oral and written instructions; Maintain concise and complete records; Demonstrate the practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care specific to the assigned work area/specialty; Meet the content and performance criteria specific to each defined specialty, leader/professional development, and unit operation; Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; Prepare and maintain concise and comprehensive required written reports; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other employees, internal and external customers and patients.