Position Overview
This position is located in the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division and is responsible for providing professional medical services to inmates within the Detention Center. The role ensures inmates receive appropriate care in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, Montana Jail Standards, and recognized correctional healthcare and community standards. The position is supervised by the Detention Center Clinic Director and collaborates with a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, detention staff, and community healthcare providers.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Provide comprehensive advanced practice medical services within the Gallatin County Detention Center, including patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing medications, collecting specimens, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and medication delivery and management.
- Ensure all care is delivered in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, Montana Board of Nursing regulations, County policies, correctional healthcare standards, and accepted professional practice.
- Directly provide patient clinical services within the Detention Center clinic as scheduled.
- Be available “on call” as scheduled each week for clinical consultation by County-issued phone. Schedules may include weekends and holidays. Response and communication may be electronic or be on-site when required by operational necessity. Actual work time while on-call will be documented and compensated as regular work time.
- Participate in emergency preparedness and response activities, including infectious disease outbreaks, medical emergencies, disasters, and other operational or legal obligations.
- Follow safety and security protocols specific to working in a detention clinical setting.
- Collaborate with clinic staff to ensure continuity of care and coordinate referrals to community providers, specialists, hospitals, and emergency services.
- Evaluate and treat patients as scheduled by clinic staff and therapists; communicate professionally and respectfully with inmates, detention staff, community providers, and family members as appropriate.
- Review and sign assigned documents in the electronic health records (EHR) system; maintain timely and accurate documentation of all patient encounters.
- Develop treatment care plans, schedule clinic follow-ups, conduct discharge planning as clinically indicated, and other duties as assigned.
- Maintain active professional licensing and certifications required to provide services in the State of Montana.
Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Principles, practices, and laws governing professional nursing and/or medicine.
- Medical terminology, diagnostic and preventive techniques, pharmacology, immunizations, and communicable disease intervention.
- Standards of correctional healthcare, inmate rights, and Detention Center policies and procedures.
- Documentation and medical records management, including use of electronic health records.
- Professional standards for patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
Ability To
- Apply advanced clinical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients with acute, chronic, and emergent medical conditions.
- Exercise independent clinical judgment and make sound medical decisions in complex, rapidly changing, or high-pressure situations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with correctional staff, nursing staff, behavioral health providers, community healthcare providers, and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Recognize medical emergencies, initiate appropriate interventions, and coordinate emergency care when necessary.
- Maintain professional boundaries and effectively manage challenging interactions in a secure correctional environment.
- Use, maintain, and troubleshoot medical equipment, clinical technology, and electronic health record (EHR) systems appropriately.
Education & Experience
- Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited program.
- Current Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification.
- Two (2) years of professional related experience.
- Prescriptive authority and active licensure with the Montana State Board of Nursing.
- Mental health experience preferred.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Licenses and Certifications
Applicants for this position must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the state of Montana, provide own transportation to conduct out of office job duties (mileage reimbursement provided under the County policy), and to be insurable under the County’s liability policies.
As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a criminal history check and background investigation.
Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, creed, religion, color, or national origin or because of age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex when the reasonable demands of the position do not require an age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex distinction.
Health Benefits
- Individual health benefits premium is paid at 100% for full-time employees and pro-rated based on hours worked for part-time employees
- Includes limited vision and dental coverage (Dental is provided by MetLife and includes a dental buy-up option)
- Dependent health benefits premium is offered at very low costs
- Coverage is effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment
- Talkspace: In-Network behavioral health support through virtual counseling & psychiatry
- Optional Supplemental Coverage is offered through Mutual of Omaha including Voluntary Accident Policy, Voluntary Critical Illness Policy and Voluntary Life Insurance Policy (also available for dependents)
- FREE unlimited access and care to PMR Clinic East. This is a private Clinic and is available to all employees and family members who are enrolled in our health benefits.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS:
Optional pre-tax, out-of-pocket medical expenses & day care expenses
COUNTY PAID LIFE INSURANCE:
$50,000 Group Life Insurance Policy (eligible employees only) (age reductions apply)
COUNTY PAID LONG TERM DISABLITY INSURANCE:
Eligible employees only, benefit duration shortens once a specific age is reached
Retirement
- County employees are covered by the Public Employee’s Retirement System (PERS)
- County Deputies and Detention Officers are covered by the Sheriff’s Retirement System (SRS)
- An optional supplemental 457 deferred compensation plan/ROTH is available through Empower and Nationwide
Paid Parental Leave
- Eligible employees are offered a maximum of six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave for the bonding and care of a newborn child or adoption of a child
Sick And Vacation Leave
- Employees accrue 12 sick days and 3 weeks of vacation per year, depending on years of service. (Hours are pro-rated for part-time employees)
- Leave starts accruing on an employee’s date of hire and can be used as soon as time is in the books.
Holidays
- The County observes 11 legal holidays in even numbered years (Federal Election Day) and 10 legal holidays in odd numbered years.
- A Floating Holiday is available to eligible employees after six months.
HEALTH CLUB MEMBERSHIPS:
Discounted rates are offered at participating clubs with payroll deduction.
Employee Assistance Program
- Offers a confidential counseling hotline and up to six sessions with a Licensed Professional Counselor at no cost to the employee. This program is also available to dependents.
WORLDWIDE TRAVEL EMERGENCY PROGRAM AND WILL & LEGAL PREPARATION SERVICES:
- Limited 24/7 services anywhere in the world
- Will and limited legal service
Tuition Assistance
- The County offers partial reimbursement of qualifying tuition expenses
Bilingual Pay
- Gallatin County allows for bilingual pay to employees that provide translation services to County departments and offices. The bilingual pay allows for extra compensation to employees that provide this service.