Physician

Nature of Work

Practice Medicine with Purpose. Make an Impact Where Care Matters.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is seeking an experienced and dedicated Physician to join our Correctional Health Services team at the Pinellas County Jail. In this role, you will provide medical care to a diverse patient population, diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and developing appropriate treatment plans. Working collaboratively with medical and mental health professionals, you will also serve as a clinical resource to healthcare staff while contributing to the development and continuous improvement of the facility's healthcare programs, policies, and procedures.

The ideal candidate is a knowledgeable, confident medical professional who demonstrates sound clinical judgment, strong communication and problem-solving skills, and the ability to make effective decisions in a fast-paced correctional healthcare environment. They are committed to providing appropriate, evidence-based medical care, maintaining high professional standards, and working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to promote patient safety, continuity of care, and positive health outcomes.

If you're looking for an opportunity to apply your medical expertise in a unique healthcare environment, this position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on patient health while helping shape the quality and delivery of correctional healthcare. Join the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and bring your clinical experience, leadership, and commitment to excellence to a team dedicated to providing essential medical services.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, making this an excellent opportunity to advance your medical career while supporting our public safety mission.

Schedule: 10-hour shifts (days to be determined)

The background investigation process may take up to 6 weeks depending upon the complexity of the applicant's background and position for which they've applied.

Under the general direction of the Medical Director and the Health Services Administrator, the physician shall provide and supervise medical care to inmates. The physician shall continuously evaluate the medical program and medical services provided; practice within the scope of authority; provide only necessary healthcare to those inmates having serious health conditions while remaining fiscally responsible to the agency. Work is reviewed through observation/results obtained.


SUPERVISES OTHERS: No

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
* Document efficiently and effectively, all services rendered or ordered for an inmate in the electronic health record (EMR), or on paper forms in the absence of an electronic health record. Follow established procedures for scheduling and completing visits to ensure work product is captured appropriately for staffing reports and auditing tools.
* Review/approve all electronic medication orders, diagnostic orders, treatment orders, refusal forms, scanned documents, alerts, and other items via the Provider's Queue in the electronic health record.
* Perform health exams on inmates referred by nursing/professional staff using established clinical guidelines.
* Provide medical treatment, order studies, diagnostic testing, and ancillary services required, as consistent with medical authority's commitment to provide basic health care services to the inmate population.
* Review/evaluate cases requiring ongoing medical/pharmaceutical attention as required.
* Instruct inmates in required health hygiene techniques as well as disease management and prevention, and document instruction in the EHR.
* Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring, and annual review of health care policies and procedures, Emergency Response Plan, Infection Control Manual, Clinical Guidelines, Nursing Protocols, and training materials.
* Review and countersign diagnostic studies; inform inmates of the results, and document justification for any change in treatment modality.
* Attend Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) meetings, Provider meetings, Read-off Training, and other meetings as required.
* Conduct chart reviews and healthcare audits on medical documentation to improve processes and procedures and assist with cost containment; provide statistics and related reports when required.
* Communicate and maintain an effective working relationship with Medical, Mental Health, Administration, Pinellas County Jail Staff, and outside provider agencies.
* Comply with all rules, directives, policies, procedures, and protocols of the department
and agency.
* Participate in training/orientation of new employees, when required.
* Order laboratory and other diagnostic tests as required; consult with and make referrals to other health staff when indicated.
* Remain fiscally responsible by utilizing the approved formulary and ordering only medically necessary diagnostic tests and procedures.
* Counsel inmates on proper hygiene, prescribed treatment, chronic disease management, preventative care, and other topics; document instruction provided in the EMR.
* Act as a consultant to detention staff as well as medical/mental health providers during/after working hours.
* Participate in Sheriff's Office recruitment and community relations activities as directed.
* Other duties as required or requested that fall within the scope of the position.

This position is considered essential and, in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, will be required to report to work.

This list is not intended to be all-inclusive, and you may not be responsible for every item listed. The employer reserves the right to assign additional functions and responsibilities as necessary.
Qualifications

* Doctoral Degree (MD or DO)
* Florida Medical License (MD/DO) and Board Certification in Internal Medicine and/or Family Practice in accordance with Florida statute
* DEA Certification
* Maintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdiction
* CPR-Basic Life Support or ACLS Certification
* Two (2) years correctional health experience is preferred; may substitute for two (2) years not-for-profit or community-based healthcare
* Must possess a valid Florida driver's license
* Consideration for this position requires a background and credit check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

* Ability to utilize diagnostic skills to assess and discern real and fictitious illnesses and injuries in a timely manner.
* Ability to interpret basic X-rays, to focus in on an inmate complaint, and to diagnose in a timely manner to provide prompt and effective intervention.
* Ability to utilize effective time management skills to accommodate regularly scheduled sick call visits and handle emergent cases while fielding phone inquiries from staff for medication orders, reviewing medical records obtained from outside sources, and reviewing/approving verbal/phone orders for medications, treatments and diagnostic studies.
* Ability to apply effective interpersonal skills when dealing with inmates and staff in an ever-changing environment.
* Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical Abilities

The physical abilities listed below are estimates of time spent during a typical workday to perform essential functions and responsibilities. Members in this position may be required to:
* Must be able to climb stairs for fire drills, Code 99, and other purposes
* Must have full range of motion to administer medical attention and perform CPR on the floor and in other confined areas
* Stand up to 5 hours per day
* Walk up to 5 hours per day
* Lift up to 25 lbs.
* Frequently twist, reach bend, squat, or kneel