LPN/RN

Sullivan County Department Of Corrections Nurse

Position assures compliance with the high quality of nursing and restorative care within the policies and procedures of the Sullivan County Department of Corrections. Conforms to Federal and State regulations. Works under supervision of the Medical Services Coordinator. Maintains and prepares accurate files as applied to legal/medical records. Conducts telephone communication with appropriate agencies.

Examples Of Duties

• Administer medications as ordered by doctor, verifies all medications an inmate may enter the facility with, either by contacting the doctor of record or verifying prescriptions with the pharmacy, obtains, writes and transcribes all doctor's orders and orders medication from pharmacy.
• Responsible for inmate assessment and daily sick call, seeing all inmates that have requested to be seen, provide treatments as ordered by doctor, assess problems that correctional officers have reported and assess all new medical intake histories.
• Arrange dental appointments with DOC approved provider, arrange outside facility appointments as the doctor orders, verify and evaluate the need for all outside facility appointments inmates may already have scheduled, arrange for court ordered placements, provide proper medical records to the appropriate centers, arrange transportation and provide follow up care when necessary.
• Conduct HIV counseling and testing when requested by an inmate and approved by the doctor.
• Maintain medical files on each inmate and chart all Over-The-Counter (OTC) medications given.
• Order all medical supplies as needed; maintain first aid kits for the department.
• Provide in-service education as assigned, assist with the facility health program.
• Assist with restraint audits, incident reports and infection control audits.
• Issue and maintain billing records for prescribed and OTC medications, issue and bill for all nurse and MD visits.
• Responsible for TB testing on inmates and employees and offering and administering Hepatitis B vaccines to employees.
• Work with mental health providers in assessing inmates with psychological problems; confirm orders with the MD. In instances where an inmate needs immediate attention, arrange counseling through in-house clinical team or West Central Services.
• Respond to injuries at the facility, respond to emergencies by stabilizing employee or inmate, assessing damage and/or complaint, and determine appropriate treatment and referral.
• Perform diabetic services for inmate population, measuring blood sugars, ordering insulin and conducting educational sessions for diabetics.
• Conduct prenatal care for inmate population, assessing prenatal needs, determining if VS/FHB is required, schedule appointments with OB/GYN and observe for S/S labor, complications and/or miscarriages.
• Assess inmates for drug/alcohol abuse and treatment, having MD prescribe medication for DTs, placing inmate on a watch.
• Support and promote the Mission Statement of the Sullivan County Department of Corrections.

Typical Qualifications

A candidate for this position must have completed a practical nurse curriculum in an accredited college, university or school of nursing and have received registration from the State of New Hampshire, completed training in correctional facility procedures and must have practiced nursing for a minimum of 2 years. In addition, the candidate must obtain certification in CPR/AED, first aid and as an HIV test counselor.

The incumbent must have considerable knowledge of nursing principles, practices and techniques, State and local laws and regulations pertaining to the control elements of communicable diseases, HIV, drug dependency, tuberculosis, STDs and psychology. The incumbent must have a working knowledge of community and regional organizations concerned with healthcare and social services. The incumbent must have the ability to prepare a variety of reports, such as those dealing with patient care and communicable diseases, to establish and maintain effective and harmonious relationships with department staff, inmates and physicians, to instruct others in healthcare and hygiene, to perform a great deal of work independently and to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing.