CORRECTIONAL NURSE 3

Correctional Nurse 3

The Nevada Department of Corrections is seeking to fill a Correctional Nurse 3 at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. The Correctional Nurse 3 is a supervisory position that requires a high level of independence. It provides comprehensive nursing care to incarcerated individuals within a Nevada Department of Corrections facility. This position functions under minimal supervision and is responsible for performing advanced clinical duties, including conducting physical assessments, developing and implementing care plans, and managing both chronic and acute health conditions. The nurse will administer medications, monitor treatment responses, and provide emergency interventions when necessary. Working collaboratively with physicians, mental health professionals, and correctional officers, the Correctional Nurse 2 ensures continuity of care while adhering to safety, security, and infection control protocols. This role also includes providing patient education, mentoring lower-level nursing staff, and maintaining accurate and confidential medical records in compliance with institutional and legal standards.

Under general supervision of a higher-level nurse, Correctional Nurses provide professional nursing care to patients in a correctional setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act and Nevada Revised Statutes.

Essential Qualifications

License as a Registered Nurse and three years of professional nursing experience in a correctional or institutional setting; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Identify patient health care needs utilizing professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition. Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patient's psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed. Coordinate health services and treatment; conduct sick calls for inmates with medical complaints; identify inmates requiring immediate medical treatment; obtain physician's or designee's orders for treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum patient care. Administer medication to identified patients as prescribed by a physician or designee; ensure correct time, dosage and route of administration; deliver medication to inmates confined to their cells; obtain and distribute non- prescription medications such as aspirin, lozenges, cold tablets; count controlled medications and needles, syringes, and sharps to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document medications administered and refused; if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken. Perform physical assessments and assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests. Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments. Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize the patient's condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy and security conditions. Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient's health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure applicable regulatory standards are met including documentation of the care delivery process. Carry out therapeutic procedures which provide for the emotional and physical comfort of patients. Provide patient education related to good health habits and answer questions regarding prescribed treatment; provide health related education and training to staff. Prepare and maintain medical treatment rooms, ensuring supplies are available and ready for use; order and stock medical and related supplies and equipment as needed. Maintain safety, health and well being of individuals in the therapeutic environment; may assist in physically restraining patients who are a threat to themselves or others and may be hostile and combative; follow facility procedures regarding techniques and duration of confinement; notify appropriate personnel of action taken and document as required. Coordinate and/or participate in clinics; schedule appointments; conduct screening tests; give immunization injections; create and maintain associated records. Coordinate outside medical appointments for inmates; schedule appointments; arrange for transportation; inform patient of special instructions required as appropriate. May delegate to other personnel direct care duties consistent with their licensure, certification and competency; supervise inmates assigned to the infirmary. Perform related duties as assigned. Under direction, in addition to performance of all or part of the duties described in the series concept, positions allocated to this class: 1) Serve as a first-line supervisor including providing work direction and resolving patient care and staffing issues; assign and review work, establish work performance standards, evaluate performance, and provide counseling and discipline to subordinate staff in an assigned work area on a shift. 2) Coordinate and provide health related training for medical, custody and other staff on a statewide basis; assess training needs; plan, develop, implement and evaluate health related training programs; track attendance and maintain documentation for credentialing and other mandatory certification; develop budget and statistical reports as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level. Detailed knowledge of: documentation process. Working knowledge of: quality assurance and/or utilization review audit and compliance activities including applicable regulatory standards; staff education and training techniques, organization and communication techniques. General knowledge of: staffing requirements for a shift; principles and practices of supervision. Ability to: deal effectively with personnel and staffing issues; respond to and resolve patient care issues; participate in internal investigations.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.