REGISTERED NURSE

Registered NurseUnder the general supervision of the Director of Nursing, and Assistant Director of Nursing, this position is responsible and accountable for coordinating the activities and providing clinical expertise for the care of an assigned patient load, utilizing the Standards of Care of Nursing Practice. The RN provides direct patient care as needed during their shift.Essential Job Functions:Record and report patient body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, pulse oximetry, height, weight, pain scale, and medical history in the electronic health recordProvide basic patient care and treatments, such as taking temperatures and blood pressure, dressing wounds, treating pressure ulcers, performing catheterizations, starting IV'sProvides for emotional and physical comfort and safety of inmates; assist with activities of daily living with special attention to therapeutic significance; triage inmates for sick callProvides monitoring and/or observation of at-risk individualsProvide comprehensive nursing care to inmates based on physicians' medical care plan and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the inmateProvide information and education on the disease process, pre and postoperative care, procedures, safety factor, use of equipment, use of medications and health maintenance issuedRespond appropriately to emergency situations. Ensure adequate emergency supplies and medications are availableEnsuring the ordering, reviewing, monitoring, discontinuation and, if necessary, the disposal of medications as prescribed by the providerUtilizes problem oriented medical record (SOAP format) to document all inmate contacts; maintains confidentiality of all inmate healthcare interactionsCollect samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samplesFormulate nursing care plans; conducts health screenings, history and physical assessmentsInforms jail security staff of special medical needs and conditions of inmates as neededProvides staff training when scheduled and assume leadership responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Nursing and/or Assistant Director of Nursing in his/her absencesCarries out designated nursing procedures, including administration of medications, assisting in the planning and formulation of nursing care plans; observes records and reports symptoms, reactions and changes in the conditions of all inmates; provides care based upon inmate need/conditionAttends educational classes as required by the license as well as accreditation standardsAccurately documents required medication administration, and nursing assessments/encounters in electronic medical recordRegular attendance and timeliness are requiredMinimum Requirements:Education:Associate of Science in Nursing DegreeCurrently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of TexasCurrent BLS/CPR CertificationSkills ~ Experience:Current and valid Texas driver's license and a safe driving record1 year experience in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environment such as public health, urgent care, acute care, or long term rehabilitation settingMust maintain personal loyalty to the SheriffKnowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environmentAbility to competently perform the following services: crisis intervention, medical emergencies, physical assessment, medical nursing care, and psychiatric nursing careExpertise in making assessment/diagnoses and appropriate follow-through care and treatment, good decision making, organizational and time management skillsAbility to follow organizational procedures, policies, practices, rules and regulations governing activities of the administrative functions and their interpretationsGeneral knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, OutlookExceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the publicWorking knowledge of medications, drugs, and narcotics and their effectsAbility to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all timesMaintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdictionAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusionsPreferred:Knowledge and experience in correctional healthcare operations to include NCCHC, ACA, and FMJS accreditation standardsDisclaimer: McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.Supplemental Information:Disqualifiers:Undesirable character or reputationA felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United StatesConviction including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) yearsArrested for DWI or DUI in the past ten (10) yearsCurrently under indictment for any criminal offenseSold or manufactured any illegal drugsConviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offenseDischarge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad characterAll Employees:Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and communityMust have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at largeMust be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general publicEnvironmental Factors:Contact with "at risk" clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general publicWork is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facilityClimate-controlled environment. Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employeesRisk of exposure to infectious diseases, but receives training in handwashing practices and Universal Precautions and has access to personal protective equipment if direct exposure is anticipatedPhysical Demand Requirements:While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hearThe employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneelMust be able to safely lift 20 lbs.Although directed not to engage in physical contact with inmates, individual must be able to physically avoid combative or aggressive inmates and may occasionally become involuntarily engaged with combative inmatesHours / Special Conditions: Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts.