Registered Nurse for Medication Assisted Treatment

Registered Nurse For Medication Assisted Treatment

The Correctional/MAT RN provides professional nursing care to incarcerated individuals, including assessment, triage, and treatment of acute and chronic conditions. In this unique environment, the primary focus is maintaining public safety and security while ensuring high-quality clinical care. The nurse must collaborate closely with correctional officers and multidisciplinary healthcare teams to provide a supportive and therapeutic environment within a secure setting. Reports to: Detention Administrator. Full-time position with benefits, salary; DOQ.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities:

• Intake & Assessment: Perform initial health screenings for new arrivals to identify immediate medical, mental health, or substance use needs, such as detox/withdrawal risks or suicidal ideation.
• Direct Patient Care: Provide routine and emergency care, including medication administration, wound care, and managing treatments for chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.
• Nursing Sick Call: Respond to inmate-initiated medical requests through episodic "sick call" rounds, utilizing standardized protocols to treat minor ailments or refer patients to advanced practitioners.
• Emergency Response: Act as a first responder to medical emergencies within the facility, such as traumatic injuries, overdoses, or acute illnesses.
• Infection Control: Monitor and manage communicable diseases (e.g., HIV, TB, and Hepatitis) through screening, isolation protocols, and patient education.
• Mental Health Support: Collaborate with psychiatric staff to provide mental health screenings, administer psychiatric medications, and provide crisis intervention.
• Medications For Opioid Use Disorder: Collaborate with medical staff to provide opioid use disorder screenings, assess for signs of withdrawal and acute intoxication, administer MOUD, monitor patients for effectiveness and side-effects, provide education on MOUD, and assist in coordination of care planning.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and confidential electronic medical records (EMR), ensuring all clinical encounters and medication administrations are logged per state and federal regulations.

Education/Work Experience/Qualifications:

• Licensure: Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of practice.
• Certifications: Valid BLS (Basic Life Support) required and ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support) obtained within one year.
• Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN preferred).
• Experience: 12 years of experience in medical-surgical, emergency, or mental health nursing is highly desirable.
• Soft Skills: Must possess strong critical thinking, de-escalation skills, and the ability to remain calm in high-pressure or potentially threatening situations.
• Physical Demands: Ability to stand for long periods and lift or move up to 50 lbs. during emergencies.

Working Conditions:

Environment: Secure, high-security facility with 24/7 operations, requiring availability for shifts on nights, weekends, and holidays. Safety: Work involves daily interaction with an unpredictable patient population; nurses must strictly adhere to all security protocols, including searches and restrictions on personal items (e.g., cellphones).