Registered Nurse I

Job Title

Pay: $ 40.00 per hour Shift Differentials: $4.00 Per Hour 6am to 6pm $8.00 Per Hour 6pm to 6am

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess physical, psychological, and social dimensions of patients within the health care unit and, as necessary, in the housing units.
• Apply knowledge of available resources in obtaining a health history and in the assessment process.
• Provide a written assessment of the patient on admission, during confinement, and on discharge as requested.
• Summarize assessment data and make a triage decision which is documented and communicated to other patient care providers.
• Plan an individual treatment program.
• Utilize available treatment protocols as written by the psychiatrist.
• Utilize referral process to appropriate providers as necessary.
• Apply knowledge and utilize available resources in planning care and patient teaching.
• Consult as necessary with nurses, physicians, correctional officers, etc.
• Implement individual treatment programs in the health care unit and, as necessary, in the housing units.
• Implement clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Intervene with proper technique, procedures and safety precautions to meet the individual needs of patients.
• Implement mental health plans through the administering of medications in accordance with physician's orders.
• Intervene by administering medications according to proper techniques and procedures, including IV therapy and all other approved routes of administration.
• Utilize pharmacology knowledge and available resources to include drug reaction and overdose in administering medications.
• Implement mental health plans through obtaining diagnostic tests in accordance with physician's orders.
• Intervene by obtaining the body fluids specimens using proper techniques and procedures.
• Implement treatment plans as ordered by the physician or appropriate therapist.
• Intervene with proper techniques / procedures and available resources.
• Implement nutrition and therapeutic diet plans as ordered by physicians.
• Intervene by using established therapeutic diet plan referral processes.
• Utilize knowledge and available resources for nutrition and therapeutic diets as established by facility.
• Document nursing encounters, utilizing the SOAP form of charting as required.
• Communicate information to other nursing staff, physicians, medical unit supervisory personnel, correctional officers and department heads.
• Respect the dignity and confidentiality of patients.

Professional Expectations and Leadership:

• Assess personal learning development needs.
• Plan/implement a program to meet identified needs through in-service attendance and other formal and informal means.
• Demonstrate knowledge and perform nursing policies and procedures.
• Support philosophy, objective and goals of the nursing department.
• Accept staffing assignments and perform other related duties as required or assigned by the Director of Nursing.
• Perform within the normal limits of state practice act, Code of Ethics for Nurses policies/procedures, facility policies/procedures, and standards.
• Promote quality assurance standards by participating in the quality of care chart audits.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with patient, medical and correctional personnel; and promote good working relationships among staff and between other disciplines and departments.
• Provide leadership to nursing staff.
• Supervise and strive for excellence in patient care by challenging and, as necessary, correcting errors of peers to ensure the safety and well-being of the patient.
• Identify existing and potential problems and take effective action.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of needed improvements in patient care, procedures, equipment and supplies, and make recommendations to supervisors.
• As requested, assist in presentation of in-service education.
• Assume individual accountability for own conduct and maintenance of professional appearance.
• Participate in nursing activities in corrections, which promote the growth and development of nursing and/or patient care.
• Approach change in a positive manner; motivate staff to work as a team; accept constructive criticism and learn from it.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate from an accredited school of nursing.
• Currently licensed as a registered professional nurse in the state in which they are practicing.
• Current CPR certification required.
• Good physical and mental health; able to work under pressure; able to relate well to patients, security staff, visitors and co-workers.
• Prefer a minimum of two (2) years clinical experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Continuous sitting per shift.
• Continuous periods of walking and standing per shift.
• Occasional climbing stairs per shift.
• Remaining awake and alert while on duty per shift.
• Lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs periodically and lifting up to 50-100 lbs rarely.
• Frequently working on computers/tablets throughout the shift.
• Frequent grasping, reaching, pushing, pulling, bending, and twisting.