CDOC Registered Nurse (Nurse I)

Nurse I

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient.

In addition to a great agency and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more;
• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.

This position provides skilled nursing care for the incarcerated inmate in either an outpatient clinic, infirmary, or specialized cell house setting for acute care, chronic support and emergency interventions. Nurse I's are responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Documents in a accurate and timely manner to provide comprehensive inmate medical records;
• Provides standardized patient education within established nursing guidelines;
• Transcribes medical orders and reports at change of shifts;
• Preserves confidentiality;
• Provides physical care and treatments, administers medications, collaborates on treatment plans, employs infection control measures, provides crises intervention, interviews and triages inmates and performs patient and staff instruction;
• Assists physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners with minor medical and surgical procedures;
• Ensures ordering and restocking of medications and supplies;
• May occasionally be required to participate in restraining an inmate primarily for medical reasons;
• Delivering PO, IM, IV, SQ, SL medications to inmates in medication lines, infirmaries, specialized cell houses, and PRN;
• Observes and reports the physical and emotional condition of inmates including the effectiveness of medications and treatments during triage, sick line and emergency situations;
• Performs physical and emotional assessments of inmates during triage, sick-line and emergency situations, employing basic nursing and assessment skills and protocol;
• Promotes and is accountable for safety and security of the clinical environment through conscientious observations and sensitive item/contraband control including counting syringes, needles, narcotics, instruments, and key control;
• Operates a variety of clinical equipment dictated by the type of equipment available in the assigned work unit;
• Knowledgeable about all Life Safety policies and procedures applicable to the assigned work unit;
• Informs supervisor of any violations of security or safety through the report writing process;
• Attends training programs as assigned, including 2-day self-defense to ensure self protection skills;
• This position may be required to work any shift, weekends, and holidays

Minimum Qualifications:

License: Applicant must possess a current, valid license as a Registered Nurse from the Colorado Board of Nursing or any state participating in the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC)

Required Competencies:

• Ability to effectively treat inmate patients on a daily basis in a variety of settings;
• Ability to follow patient confidentiality standards;
• Ability to respond to emergency situations involving inmates and/or medical situations;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language;
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing;
• Excellent discernment and decision making skills;
• Ability to follow instructions and pay attention to details;
• Ability to work a variety of shifts on a full time basis;
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations;
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift;
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Correctional Nursing experience;
• Charge Nurse and/or supervisory experience;
• Acute Care or Long Term Nursing experience.