Medical Officer - Licensed Vocational Nurse/Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic

Position Description

About Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD)

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third-largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second-largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

About Health Services:

The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth's functioning.

Position Overview: This position provides safe and effective medical care for all youth in custody. The LVN will practice under the direction/supervision of a Registered Nurse/Physician, providing support to the overall functioning of the medical department. The LVN will assist in the determination of predictable health care needs of youth in custody, by utilizing the Nursing Process which includes assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of care. This individual will operate in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act, agency policies, procedures, standing orders, physician orders and the overall treatment plan. Specific duties will be assigned based on level of training, education, experience and licensure.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide nursing care with a focus on resident's needs, environmental and technical safety; utilizing a four step systemic process (Nursing Process) to deliver patient care. This includes assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Utilizes a problem solving approach as the basis for decision making in practice, including reporting relevant information to supervising Registered Nurse and/or Physician.
• Performs technical nursing skills, within the scope of practice for a LVN, and in accordance with agency policies and procedures for individual and/or multiple resident assignments. Performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, sets up equipment and applies therapeutic treatments.
• Documents relevant information regarding nursing care in patient records, charts and reports. Documents observations of residents signs, symptoms, test results, behaviors, and response to medications and treatments.
• Informs, explains and educates residents and family members/guardians regarding medications, relevant treatment information, and disease process. Provides pertinent health information, at an appropriate level, and includes meaningful literature to support understanding.
• Demonstrates behaviors that promote development of positive outcomes in relation to the practice of vocational nursing, and provides ethical nursing care in a confidential, caring, non-judgmental, non-discriminatory manner.
• Assigns specific tasks, activities and functions and maintains appropriate supervision of unlicensed personnel in a structured health care setting for residents with predictable health care needs in accordance with program design and structure.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of licensed nursing experience. (Not including clinical hours required for education.)

Licensure and Certification:

• Licensed by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Valid Texas Driver's license.
• Current CPR certification.

• Knowledge of scope and standards of vocational nursing practice where applicable.
• Knowledge of Texas Board of Nurse Examiners Nurse Practice Act and nursing care standards of practice.
• Knowledge of applicable pharmacy rules and regulations.
• Understanding of Standard/Universal Precautions and infection control procedures for dealing with sharp instruments, blood and body fluids and communicable diseases.
• Knowledge and understanding of indications for treatments rendered including medications and the expected outcome, possible side effects and how to identify adverse reactions.
• Understanding of departmental and Agency Policies and Procedures including Standing Orders for care.
• Comprehension of how to use proper body mechanics to avoid injury to self, peers or residents.
• Maintains current licensure and continuing education requirements as established by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Abides by Texas Board of Nurses Professional Conduct rules.
• Demonstrates and follows the Nurse Practice Act.
• Abides by Harris County Code of Ethics.
• Demonstrates positive interpersonal skills.
• Maintains patient confidentiality, without breeching regulations/guidelines/laws pertaining to the sharing of protected health information.

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All applicants must provide evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test. If the attest result is positive, additional documentation will be required.
• All employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion that the employee may be under the influence of a substance prohibited by the county's drug and alcohol policy during the course and scope of employment.
• In the event of a public emergency declared by the county, staff may be assigned to other duties, facilities, or departments under the supervision of another county department.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's license and maintain liability insurance coverage at least equal to the minimum amounts required by law.
• Certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits will be required during the hiring process.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

• Minimum of at least one (1) year of working with adolescents and/or correctional care nursing experience.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-Time | This is considered an essential staff position.

• Typical Workday (Shifts - Day, Evening, Nights, Weekends)

  • Hours will be discussed during departmental interview.

Salary:

• $ 71,344.00 - $83,886.40 Annually

• Depends on Qualifications

Location:

• Juvenile Detention Center - 1200 Congress St. Houston, TX 77002

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Harris County Employee Benefits

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
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