Correctional Health Assistant

Assists the doctor to ensure health and wellbeing of each inmate at Adult Detention Center (ADC). Completes an Intake Screening for each new inmate to include utilizing medical diagnostic forms and equipment. Conducts daily sick call. Sets up inmates with pre-existing conditions and complaints to meet the doctor. Provides first aid care and follow up with facility or outside doctor in case of accidents and emergencies. Completes weekly screenings for inmates in segregation status. Remains on watch for inmates who might be malingering. Maintains medical files of each inmate seen. Screens kitchen workers.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Performs medical screenings by performing a physical assessment, including TB testing of each new inmate; reviewing assessment done by intake officer; investigating any problems found and determining best course of action to deal with it; and performing weekly assessment of inmates in segregation status.
• Assists the facility doctor by helping the doctor with medical procedures; routinely giving oral history to physician; checking patient vital signs; assisting with minor surgical procedures; ordering and setting up medication; scheduling outside consults; and providing prescribed treatment.
• Sets up and delivers prescribed medicine by reviewing doctor’s orders for accuracy; ordering new medicine; ordering refills per doctor’s orders; setting up over the counter medicines and maintaining inventories; and ensuring each prescription is added to the computer for delivery reports to be done.
• Acts as facility liaison with medical providers by scheduling outside medical runs for all applicable inmates; providing transports when shifts are unable to do them; and ensuring orders of outside providers are carried out including prescriptions and further treatment.
• Initiates emergency treatments of inmates by responding to medical emergencies; being on call for emergencies; delivering available first aid; and sending inmates to appropriate follow up care.
• Takes an active role to ensure that shifts are trained in first aid, CPR and blood borne pathogens.

• Assists security shifts as needed by being trained in all aspects of running the facility; helping security shifts when they are shorthanded and in emergencies;
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Associate’s Degree, with knowledge of a specific vocational, administrative or technical nature, from a college, vocational or technical school; and two to four years of experience.


An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above


Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record according to City Criteria
• EMT, or the equivalent or higher medical certification
• Jailor Certification and general instructor certification, by The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
• First Aid/CPR Bloodborne Pathogens instructor certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work requires medium physical effort, exerting 20-50 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly.
• Adequate vision, hearing and talking to use a computer, telephone and communicating effectively with others.
• Frequent standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, and fine dexterity.
• Occasional sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, and balancing.
• Rare crawling.

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently experience time pressure, frequent change of tasks, irregular work schedule/overtime, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and noisy/distracting environment.
• May occasionally experience emergency situations and tedious or exacting work.
• Must regularly confront and control demanding, argumentative, cognitively dysfunctional, and physically assaultive inmates.