CORRECTIONAL NURSE 1 - UNDERFILL

State of Nevada (NV); Elko (NV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) in Nevada is recruiting a Correctional Nurse 1 underfill for the Nevada Youth Training Center. This full-time role provides professional nursing care to male youths ages 14–18 in a secure facility, coordinating health care and maintaining supplies.

The position requires an RN license with at least one year of nursing experience, ability to respond to emergencies, document care, and collaborate with staff.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Registered Nurse license and have at least one year of professional nursing experience, or an equivalent education/experience as described.
• Provide professional nursing care in a correctional setting.
• Coordinate and evaluate health care services for youths.

Responsibilities

• Identify patient health care needs and document findings.
• Develop and revise nursing care plans in collaboration with health professionals.
• Conduct sick calls for inmates and obtain orders for treatment.
• Administer medications as prescribed and monitor for side effects.
• Perform physical assessments and collect samples for testing.
• Maintain hygienic environments and urgent medical care as needed.
• Document nurse progress notes and prepare reports/QA activities.
• Coordinate clinics and manage outside medical appointments for inmates.

Skills

Nursing care

Medication administration

Emergency care

Education

Registered Nurse license

Job description

The Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) is recruiting for a Correctional Nurse 1 underfill Correctional nurse 2. Correctional Nurses provide professional nursing care to patients in a correctional setting. Incumbents possess a degree of knowledge and proficiency sufficient to perform work independently with little or no additional training. This position will be located at the Nevada Youth Training Canter (NYTC) a 48-bed staff secure facility for male youth ages 14 to 18. NYTC’s goal is to promote positive self-growth, create change in behavior, attitudes, values, and ways of thinking. Incumbent is responsible for providing professional nursing care in the facility by coordinating and evaluating health care services and treatment for the juveniles of the facility; maintaining pharmaceutical, laboratory, and basic nursing supplies in an organized and efficient manner; conducting weekly doctor clinics promoting workplace safety; medication administration; responding to medical and psychiatric emergencies; completing documentation; and provide professional resources for the facility staff regarding health and safety issues. This full-time position will be from the hours of 7am – 330pm (Monday to Friday) OR 7a to 730p with alternate 8 hrs. shift every other week and will include weekends and holidays with overtime after 40 hours in a week. DCFS encourages education by providing on-going training and paid release time for staff to obtain CEU's. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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 one year of professional nursing experience; 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 immediate supervision, incumbents acquire skills and experience in performing the duties outlined in the series concept. This is the entry level in the series, and progression to the journey level may occur upon successful completion of the probationary period, and with the recommendation of the appointing authority.

Working knowledge of:

• universal precautions and infection control techniques and procedures
• medical terminology sufficient to understand doctor’s orders.

General knowledge of:

• current nursing practices, principles, methods and procedures
• application of the nursing process including assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation
• documentation process
• uses and effects of medications used in nursing
• operation and use of standard medical equipment
• nutrition and personal hygiene as applied to patient care
• human growth and development
• routine laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures
• physical restraint techniques and procedures as allowed in the practice setting

Ability to:

• interview patients to elicit a health history, symptoms and/or complaints
• clinically assess the basic health status of a patient
• develop, implement and evaluate a nursing care plan
• prepare and maintain medical records, charts and reports
• follow detailed oral and written instructions
• provide health education to patients
• provide emergency medical treatment as required
• assist in physically restraining patients consistent with department policy
• establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with supervisors, custody and medical staff, patients and families
• delegate appropriate assignments to subordinate staff