Registered Nurse - MEDC/JDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 68,704 - 92,951; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Shift differential pay

Health, dental, and life insurance

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a registered nurse to provide direct nursing care in a secure juvenile facility. You will administer medications, document encounters, and coordinate care with physicians, psychiatrists, and other clinicians, in accordance with SC Nurse Practice Act and department protocols.

The role requires SC RN licensure, BLS/ACLS certifications, and a valid SC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of nursing principles and practices
• Ability to follow physician orders and protocols
• Competence in infection control and patient safety

Responsibilities

• Safely administer medications and treatments as ordered.
• Ensure follow-through of orders and coordinate with healthcare team.
• Use an electronic health record system for documentation.
• Maintain a safe, sanitary environment and follow infection control practices.
• Assess health needs and formulate plans of care.
• Provide nursing care to juveniles in the facility.
• Refer to higher-level providers when needed.
• Provide health education to juveniles.
• Assist providers during patient visits.
• Collect specimens for lab tests.
• Conduct routine health assessments.
• Participate in orientation and training of staff.
• Maintain continuing education for care delivery.

Skills

Nursing knowledge

Patient care

Communication

Education

RN license (SC)

Nursing degree (BSN/ADN/Diploma)

Job description

Mission

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Job Purpose

To provide direct nursing care to juveniles receiving services at a Department of Juvenile Justice secure facility in accordance with Health Services and department protocols/ standing orders and policies, the SC Nurse Practice Act, and accepted professional nursing standards.

Compensation

• Starting salary: $80,827
• Shift differential pay
• $10,000 sign‑on bonus*

Job Responsibilities

• Safely administers and documents medications and treatments as ordered by a physician, psychiatrist, dentist, nurse practitioner, or nurses’ standing orders/protocols.
• Ensures follow‑through of physician/psychiatrist/dentist/nurse practitioner orders, including delegation of tasks to licensed practical nurse, medical assistant, and/or certified nursing assistant; makes necessary appointments and arrangements for off‑campus consultations, procedures, and surgery.
• Uses an electronic health record system to maintain documentation of each encounter with a juvenile.
• Maintains a safe and sanitary environment and follows basic infection control practices.
• Assesses the medical and health needs of juveniles during sick call and formulates, implements, and evaluates the plan of care in accordance with standing orders and protocols.
• Provides nursing care to juveniles assigned to the facility.
• Refers to an appropriate higher‑level health care provider when needed.
• Provides health education to juveniles as needed.
• Assists the medical and psychiatric providers and nurse practitioners when they see patients; participates in developing plans of care as appropriate.
• Collects a variety of specimens for ordered laboratory tests.
• Conducts periodic routine health assessments of the juveniles.
• Actively participates in orientation, training, and education of other nursing staff and other departments involved in the daily care and safety of the juveniles.
• Marries, participates, and updates all training requirements while seeking new avenues for continued education to improve delivery of care.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited school of nursing.
• Licensure as a registered nurse by the State Board of Nursing for South Carolina.
• Some positions require a valid driver’s license.
• Certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) and/or Basic/Advanced Cardiac Life Support (BACS/ACLS).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of nursing and prevention of disease and injury.
• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with all levels of personnel.
• Ability to establish priorities and carry out assignments.
• Ability to establish the confidence and cooperation of juveniles receiving services.
• Must remain current in BLS.
• Must have and maintain a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
• Subject to the possibility of physical assault, property destruction, and infections.
• Must wear personal protective equipment to prevent infection.
• Must have a phone or pager that DJJ can use to contact for urgent or emergent situations.
• Training applicable to duties involving custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed to practice as a registered nurse in South Carolina.
• Has a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate degree in nursing, or a diploma in nursing with at least two years of nursing experience in a relevant clinical area (e.g., pediatric nursing, medical‑surgical nursing, public health nursing).

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual vacation leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave