Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Johnson County, TX
Cleburne, TX

RN; Jail

GENERAL SUMMARY Under the general supervision of the 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 in a jail setting. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES * Monitors the services rendered by contract providers * Maintains confidentiality and security of health records and medical information * Closely monitors all potential catastrophic illness and the use of available resources to maintain cost * Evaluates and recommends methods of improving operational efficiency and cost effectiveness. * Monitors the use of pharmaceutical services * Record and report patient body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, pain scale, and medical history in the electronic health record * Provides for emotional and physical comfort and safety of inmate; assist with activities of daily living with special attention to therapeutic significance; triage inmates for sick call * Provides monitoring and/or observations of at-risk individuals * Provide comprehensive nursing care to inmates based on physician's medical care plan and the physical, mental and emotional needs of the inmate * Provide information and education on the disease process, pre and postoperative care, procedures safety factor, use of equipment, use of medications and health maintenance issued * Respond appropriately to emergency situations. Ensure adequate emergency supplies and medications are available * Ensuring the ordering, reviewing, monitoring, discontinuation and, if necessary the disposal of medications as prescribed by the physician * Utilizes problem oriented medical record (SOAP format) to document all inmate contacts; maintains confidentiality of all inmate healthcare interactions * Collects samples, such as blood, urine, or sputum from patients, and perform routine laboratory tests on samples * Formulate nursing care plans; conduct health screenings, history and history and physical assessments * Coordinates/schedules in-house and outside medical/dental appointments * Informs jail security staff of special medical needs and conditions of inmates as needed * Provides staff training when scheduled and assume leadership responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Nursing in his/her absence * Carries out designated nursing procedures, including administration of medications, assisting in the planning and formulation of nursing care plans; observe records and reports symptoms, reactions and changes in the conditions of all inmates; provides care based upon inmate need/condition * Attends educational classes as required by the license as well as accreditation standards * A registered professional nurse responsible for the delivery of the patient care through the nursing process of assessment, planning, implement and evaluation. Also, directs and guides patient teaching, activities, and ancillary personnel while maintaining standards of professional nursing. * Defines Position duties and responsibilities of nursing personnel to ensure quality of care at the staff level of registered nurse for the facility * Interrelates and works effectively with patients' families (as appropriate), medical and nursing staffs, security staff at all levels, administrative staff and supportive staff, i.e., pharmacy, laboratory, etc. * Assist healthcare staff providing nursing care to inmates at the facility, according to facility administration policies and local, state, and federal regulations * Regular attendance and timeliness are required LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education Required: * Associate of Science in Nursing Degree * Currently licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Texas * Current BLS/CPR Certification * Current CPR certification KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES Required: * Current and valid Texas driver's license and a safe driving record * 1 year experience in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environment such as public health, urgent care, acute care, or long term rehabilitation setting * Knowledge of current federal and state laws and regulations that apply to the practice of nursing in a correctional setting or comparable clinical environment * Ability to competently perform the following services: crisis intervention, medical emergencies, physical assessment, medical nursing care, and psychiatric nursing care * Expertise in making assessment/diagnoses and appropriate follow-through care and treatment, good decision making, organizational and time management skills * Ability to follow organizational procedures, policies, practices, rules and regulations governing activities of the administrative functions and their interpretations * General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Work, Excel, Outlook * Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public * Working knowledge of medications, drugs, and narcotics and their effects * Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times * Maintain appropriate, unrestricted credentials according to the licensure, certification, and registration requirements of the jurisdiction * Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions Preferred: * A minimum of 2 years clinical experience is preferred DISCLAIMER: Johnson County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past 10 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. Disqualifiers: * Undesirable character or reputation * A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States * Conviction 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 10 years * Currently under indictment for any criminal offense * Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offense * Discharge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad character ALL EMPLOYEES * Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community * Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large * Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: * Contact with "at risk" clients and persons accused or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general public * Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility * Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employees * The work characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. * This position has been identified with possible risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens and/or various hazards that require immunization against such exposure. PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS: * While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear * The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel and climb stairs * Must be able to safely lift 20 lbs. HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Must be willing to work overtime, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, evenings and nights. Must be able to work 12 hour shifts. In the event the RN position cannot be filled due to lack of applicants, an LVN may be hired at the current LVN pay rate, to fill the position if it does not violate the Texas Commission on Jail Standards requirements for inmate medical care. Johnson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.