Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner

Medical Care Provider

Provides direct and indirect basic medical care to meet physiological, psychosocial and emotional needs of the inmate/patient within the Ada County Jail. This position is located at the Ada County Sheriff's Office, Health Services Division. The Ada County Jail can house up to 1,224 inmates and employs over 300 staff members. Our Health Services Unit houses up to 83 patients with acute medical or mental health care needs. Our team of 45 healthcare and support professionals works hard to meet the needs of our patients. Treatment plans are based on community best practice while also recognizing the security issues unique to a correctional setting. Working closely with our security staff, our medical staff are never alone with the patients and, therefore, feel very safe.

This position works the day shift, either 4 10-hour shifts per week or 5 8-hour shifts per week, and includes being on-call every third week.

Low cost medical, dental, and vision insurances Idaho PERSI retirement plan Deferred Compensation plan 457(b) with a County match of up to 3% Flexible Spending Accounts Health and Dependent Care Post-Employment Health Plan 50% of unused sick leave above 240 hours Employee Assistance Program (EAP) No cost basic life, accidental death, and short-term disability insurances Eleven (11) paid holidays annually Paid vacation leave, sick leave, and parental leave No cost gym access at three (3) County owned gym facilities Wellness Program Optional 401(k) and/or Roth IRA Visit adacounty.id.gov/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefits to view details regarding our full benefits package.

Essential Functions

• Assesses inmate/patient in a variety of settings such as initial intake area, healthcare unit clinic, emergency situations in housing, and infirmary;
• Identifies inmate/patient health problems and prescribes treatment under direction of a physician;
• Performs or schedules laboratory and diagnostic procedures to determine health status Responds to and initiates care for medical emergencies throughout the facility;
• Implements medical care utilizing therapeutic regimens approved by the physician;
• Identifies the educational components of treatment regimens and provides inmate/patient education;
• Evaluates and documents inmate/patient progress and response to medical interventions;
• Makes appropriate, timely referrals and initiates treatments based on institutional policies and procedures, and physician direction;
• Documents all health care contacts;
• Adheres to safety and security policies and participates in disaster drills;
• Follows security regulations for keys, sharps, and controlled medications;
• Delegates to and supervises other team members as appropriate;
• Adheres to Universal Precautions and other appropriate infection control practices; and
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college/university physician assistant or nurse practitioner program with current certification/licensure in the State of Idaho;
• Knowledge of professional medical principles, procedures and practices;
• Knowledge of standard medical equipment and supplies;
• Knowledge of laws regulating narcotics, medications and patients' rights of consent;
• Ability to maintain clinical area in clean, neat and safe manner;
• Ability to deal with and respond effectively to stressful situations in a stressful environment;
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and patience;
• Ability to maintain professional conduct and boundaries;
• Ability to observe and understand physical conditions and behavior;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment;
• Ability to initiate needed treatment;
• Ability to communicate findings in a comprehensive and organized fashion verbally and in writing;
• Ability to document health problems and plan of care appropriately;
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, patients and physicians; and
• Ability to maintain confidential materials and medical records.

Must maintain required annual licensure and credentialing requirements for physician assistants or nurse practitioner in the health care unit; Must maintain an active CPR/BLS certification; Must pass an oral interview, polygraph exam and background investigation prior to being hired; This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing. If hired as physician assistant, MD will approve medical work.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed in a health services facility at the Ada County Jail;
• Incumbent is required to work a flexible schedule, which may include work on some weekends, evenings, nights, and/or holidays and handling call;
• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.;
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a medical office environment to accomplish tasks.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.