CORRECTIONAL NURSE 2

Correctional Nurse 2

The Northern Nevada Correctional has a vacancy for Correctional Nurse 2 in Carson City. The Correctional Nurse will be providing professional nursing care to offenders in a correctional facility environment. Responsibilities of the position include evaluating needs and developing a nursing diagnosis, record/report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and/or mental conditions, prepare plans for treatment, conduct sick calls for offenders with medical complaints, obtain physician orders for treatment, adequately distribute non-prescription medication, maintain count for controlled medical equipment and medications, perform physical assessments and obtain samples for laboratory testing, provide emergency medical treatments such as CPR or first aid, maintain medical charts, reports, and audit charts as needed.

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

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 general supervision, incumbents perform the full range of duties described in the series concept. Positions in this class may have infection control, outpatient services and/or other specialized assignments as a primary or secondary duty. This is a professional nurse, and incumbents function at the journey level.

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.

Working knowledge of: application of the nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation; documentation process; uses and effects of medications used in the practice setting; nursing principles and therapeutic interventions utilized in cooperation with a treatment team and physician or designee; operation and use of standard medical equipment; routine laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures; nutrition and personal hygiene as applied to patient care; human growth and development; physical restraint techniques and procedures as allowed in the practices.

General knowledge of: quality assurance and/or utilization review audit and compliance activities including applicable regulatory standards; staff education and training techniques.

Ability to: provide nursing services within the limitations and security requirements of a correctional environment; respond to and resolve patient care issues; independently perform specialized assignments such as infection control, quality assurance, utilization review, staff training, and/or outpatient services.