CDOC Mid-Level Provider/Nurse Practioner or Physician Assistant - (DENVER)

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government, as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services to make state government more effective and efficient.

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans (Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits)
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more

Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits for more information.

About the role

This position provides medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for acute, chronic, and emergency care for inmates in the clinical setting, which could include a clinic, an infirmary, or a special needs facility.

Responsibilities

• Perform physical examinations and obtain detailed histories on assigned patients
• Assess and treat acute/chronic medical problems and provide direct patient care to a specified patient population
• Prescribe medications from the CDOC formulary using applicable CDOC guidelines and policies
• Conduct sick call, emergency treatment, or chronic care clinic as assigned
• Make rounds in an infirmary or skilled nursing care setting
• Diagnose and treat medical conditions and disorders within scope of practice
• Order laboratory tests and other diagnostic testing pertinent to the medical care of offenders
• Perform minor medical procedures such as suturing lacerations, incision and drainage of abscesses, excision of cysts, application of splints and casts, and removal of toenails
• Provide emergency medical coverage to offenders including performing basic life support and lifesaving procedures for emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, massive hemorrhage, or similar emergencies or life support measures
• May be required to assess dental and mental health emergencies and refer appropriately
• Assist in pre and post operative care
• Perform offender health record reviews
• Review laboratory, x-ray, and EKG results and intervene as medically indicated
• Perform venipuncture and other related laboratory tests
• Follow the CDOC clinical services standards and procedures, protocols, guidelines, or policies pertaining to medical practice and treatment as specified by Clinical Services administration
• May provide initial emergency medical treatment for facility staff
• Travel to other correctional facilities to assist during a staffing crisis
• Communicate with outside providers and internal peers to ensure continuity of care
• Collaborate with other health care professionals, clinical services staff regarding offender health issues/policies, transfers, classifications, and medical legal concerns
• Participate in various decision-making committees to resolve system issues
• Assist in developing policies, protocols, standards, or guidelines
• Identify and update "medical holds" and housing and work restrictions electronically
• Provide formal and informal medical training for co-workers, offender classes, and Training Academy presentations
• Provide offender education during appointments
• Participate in developing educational materials for offenders or health care professionals
• May be required to participate in restraining an offender primarily for medical reasons
• May be required to work shifts and provide on-call and call-back duties such as weekends, evening and night shifts, and holidays
• May perform clinical research related to specific operations

Requirements

Applicant must possess current, valid licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse / Nurse Practitioner from the Colorado Board of Nursing or valid licensure as a Physician Assistant from the Colorado Medical Board.

• APN specialty must be in General Family Practice (FNP), or Adult Gerontology Primary Care (AGPCNP)
• PA specialty must be in Family Medicine and General Practice
• Applicant must be willing and able to obtain full prescriptive authority (RXN) as issued by the State of Colorado (DORA) and the DEA, within six (6) months of hire

Skills

• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction
• Ability to provide direct patient care to offenders
• Ability to maintain professionalism in a complex environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing clinical treatment in a correctional environment
• Experience providing medical care in an infirmary or skilled nursing center
• Experience providing emergency medical coverage performing basic life support and life-saving measures
• Experience managing chronic medical conditions as an APN / NP

Conditions of Employment

• All job offers are contingent upon a successful medical screening by a healthcare professional, certifying the candidate's ability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Applicant must consent to hold harmless CDOC and its agents and staff from any liability arising in whole or in part from the testing and the use of this information in connection with CDOC’s consideration of application for employment
• Must be 21 years of age
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle
• State drivers are expected to maintain a safe driving record consistent with Colorado Division of Human Resources Universal Policy Driving Standards
• Eligibility to drive a State-owned vehicle includes holding a valid Colorado driver’s license within 30 days of employment or residency change and meeting specific driving record criteria
• Serious traffic violations, including DUIs or reckless driving, can disqualify drivers for up to seven years
• All State Vehicles are monitored by telematics for safe operation and employees have no reasonable expectation of privacy while using an agency State Fleet vehicle
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Have NO felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609
• The CDOC shall not hire nor promote anyone who may have contact with an offender who has engaged in sexual abuse which includes acts, activity, and sexual behavior, in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997

This position is open to Colorado state residents only. There are multiple positions located in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Complex. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies at this location.