Nurse

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs nursing care requiring understanding of disease and illnesses sufficient to enhance communications with physicians, criminal justice center staff and patients. Address the healthcare needs of patient populations within the Criminal Justice Center. Uses judgment to vary sequence of procedures based on patient's condition and previous preventive instructions. Follow general instructions in addition to established polices, practices and procedures. Perform duties assigned by physicians ensuring medical welfare of the inmates.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to the Jail Administrator.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises autonomy and sound judgement over tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs medical screening for programmatic participation, reviews medical records and patient assessments to determine compliance with policies and procedures, correctness of assessments, and quality of services.

Performs admission, discharge, and transfer procedures by collecting and analyzing utilization data, audits continuity of patient care, and prepares related reports. Able to review and under supervision; modify the plan of care.

Demonstrates ability to observe and record the signs, symptoms, behaviors, and status of patients. Presents proposed revision of interventions and desired outcomes. Delivers the designated nursing interventions to assigned patients that are consistent with the state medical plan of care.

Follows and executes physician's orders in the delivery of nursing care. Always maintains patient's privacy and confidentiality of information and records. Safely and properly administers medication and treatments. Notifies appropriate nursing and medical staff of changes in patient status; recognizes patient care priorities, multidisciplinary treatment plans and potential patient care crises.

Documents nursing care in all assigned patient records. Adheres to internal controls and reporting structures. Creates and submits yearly report (s) to the Texas Department of Health.

Performs other duties assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Preferred degree and/or at minimum Vocational Nurse Licensure.

Must have a current, unrestricted license to practice nursing approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and must maintain valid license (s) for continued employment in position.

1 to 2 years' experience as a vocational nurse. Correctional nursing experience preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge

Knowledge of professional nursing principles, procedures, techniques, health care services, documentation, methods, and practices of medical records.

Knowledge of PREA policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards preferred.

Knowledge of agency and departmental organizational structure, applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and statutes preferred.

Skills

Skill to communicate ideas, instructions clearly and concisely by coordinating with other staff, departments, officials, agencies, organizations, and the public.

Skill in problem-solving techniques such as analyzing technical data, preparing, maintaining accurate records, files, reports, and complex audits by providing consultation.

Skill in the correlation of laboratory, electrocardiogram, radiographic and clinical data from health appraisals and physical examinations.

Abilities

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.

Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals, and bar graphs interpretation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Security clearance is required.

Must be able to travel 30% of the time.

Valid Texas Class C Driver's License is required.