Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse (RN) will work to improve the health and well-being of Grays Harbor County Corrections Facility ("Jail") residents by providing professional nursing care in both ambulatory and infirmary settings, providing patient assessment and treatment, assisting providers in providing medical services, managing medications, providing emergency care, and maintaining medical records, to residents of the Jail in a caring, ethical, clinically competent manner consistent with community standards, in the most economic manner possible. In addition, the RN is expected to participate in educational programs for staff and patients and participate in activities to maintain his/her nurse competency at a minimum proficient level.

Essential Duties

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

1. Responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care given.
2. Responsible and accountable for delegated activities.
3. Responsible and accountable for following the standards of nursing conduct or practice.
4. Responsible and accountable for operating within licensed scope of practice.
5. Performs professional nursing duties under medical policies and procedures and specific standing orders approved by the Jail Medical Director.
6. Obtains and records patient medical histories.
7. Provides medical evaluation to staff and residents as needed.
8. Performs physical examination of residents as needed.
9. Maintain accurate, legible, and complete record of patient care, including use of Jail's Electronic Health Record software.
10. Facilitates implementation of health care plans which are approved by the Jail Medical Director.
11. Provides information as directed by the Chief Corrections Deputy or the Jail Medical Director and manages health problems delegated by the Jail Medical Director.
12. Administers prescription medication to residents as directed by the Jail Medical Director.
13. Secures medications to protect against inappropriate use by others.
14. Schedules routine clinic visits.
15. Maintain patient confidentiality consistent with ethical canons and legal requirements.
16. Submits reports and nursing program statistics in a timely manner as required.
17. Maintains the nursing workstation in a safe, orderly, and efficient manner.
18. Confers with the Jail Medical Director regarding patient medical problems and makes referrals to the Jail Medical Director or to a hospital, if necessary.
19. Attends scheduled staff meetings as required.
20. Works cooperatively with public health staff regarding communicable disease control and other issues affecting the jail's population.
21. Contacts outside medical providers to verify medical problems, medications, treatments, and appointments.
22. Evaluates new arrestees presenting for booking regarding health status prior to acceptance by custody staff.
23. Establishes priorities in emergency medical situations.
24. Makes recommendations as to housing assignment for patients with physical or mental conditions.
25. Verifies special diet requests and if necessary, refers information to Jail Medical Director.
26. Performs related duties as required.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing and a current State of Washington license as a professional registered nurse. Proficient using computer based programs to schedule, monitor and track patient information, perform data entry, word processing, as well as other programs that may be needed to complete assigned work. One (1) year experience working as a RN in an acute care hospital or related trauma experience or correctional facility is preferred. Applications may be considered from students approaching graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing or out-of-state RN candidates not yet licensed in Washington State. All applicants will be required to show proof of licensure prior to appointment.

Knowledge of:

1. Principles and practices of acute care and assessment nursing as required by the position.
2. RN scope of practice
3. Principles and practices underlying professional nursing techniques and professional ethics.
4. Diagnostic and screening tests.
5. Medications and expected action and side effects.
6. Individual and group behavior.
7. NCCHC Standards (desirable).

Skilled in:

1. Independent judgment in assessment, treatment or illnesses and minor wounds, physician referrals, and follow-up nursing care as directed by the Jail Medical Director.
2. Establishing and maintaining appropriate, relevant professional relationships.
3. Effective communications, both orally and in writing
4. Effective collection and reporting of clinical data, formulation of a nursing diagnosis, formulation of an appropriate nursing care plan, and execution of nursing care plans.

Ability to:

1. Identify and evaluate jail and resident health needs
2. Use independent judgment and to work well with custody staff
3. Understand and carry out technical instructions regarding patient care
4. Interact courteously and tactfully with patients
5. Keep/prepare clear, legible, logical, comprehensible records/reports
6. Attend work as scheduled and/or required
7. Work within RN scope of practice

General/Other Duties and Requirements:

1. Must successfully pass a criminal history background investigation, polygraph and pre-employment drug screening. Must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
2. Maintain a positive professional relationship with residents, Jail staff, and medical staff using positive problem solving skills.
3. Treats others with respect and courtesy; is dependable and accountable; embraces diversity and cultural differences; follows all applicable Grays Harbor County Jail policies and procedures and all local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
4. Periodically provides health-related training to Jail staff.
5. Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
6. As a condition of continued employment, must maintain RN certification and license (unrestricted) as required by applicable statutes.
7. Undergoes and passes initial and periodic background checks and drug testing pursuant to Jail policy

Safety and Security Responsibilities:

1. Participates in institution training and safety activities as required.
2. Accepts emergency assignment in the event of an emergency event, including, but not limited to, riot, fire, disease outbreak, earthquake, flood.
3. Cooperates and collaborates with Jail staff within the legal and ethical limitations of the incumbent's profession.

Supplemental Information

Working conditions include:

1. Schedule: TBD – current work schedule is an eight-hour shift with four consecutive days on followed by four consecutive days off (1460 hours/year). Jail is currently evaluating a ten-hour shift with four consecutive days on followed by four consecutive days off (1825 hours/year).
2. Dress: Professional
3. Environmental: Work is performed at a correctional facility and involves interaction with criminal justice-involved individuals who may be hostile due to mental health, medical, or behavioral issues and who may pose a risk of physical and/or mental injury. The work environment is sometimes chaotic, noisy, and may be challenging to the delivery of health care. The work environment may also expose the RN to hazards from chemicals, radiation, and communicable diseases which are inherent to health care and correctional settings. The RN may be required to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, work in small spaces, work in lock-down conditions, climb stairs, walk 100 yards, lift heavy items up to 50 pounds, and carry loads weighing up to 30 pounds. The RN must be able to respond physically and cognitively to emergencies in a timely and competent manner.