Correctional Health Nurse I

Fairfax County Sheriff's Office is committed to providing world-class public safety with honor, courage, and a dedication to service. Our office is the largest sheriff's office in Virginia with over 600 professional men and women, serving a population of over 1.1 million citizens in one of the most diverse counties in the nation. We are looking for medical professionals who want to contribute to the outstanding quality of life that Fairfax County residents currently enjoy.

About the role

Works as a member of the Medical Services Branch located in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. As an individual and team contributor, provides patients with routine and emergency health care.

This position includes a $10,000 sign-on bonus for fully qualified new county employees (full-time). Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct health care services to Adult Detention Center inmates;
• Conducts admission interviews to gather medical, mental health, and social histories;
• Performs medical, dental, and mental health screenings and/or assessments;
• Provides therapeutic nursing services including administering tests (e.g., PPD, pregnancy testing) and injections, dispensing medications, and collecting vital signs;
• Reviews and interprets laboratory and diagnostic test results for advanced level practitioner follow-up;
• Assesses and identifies contributing or co-occurring mental health issues, determines risk of harm to self and/or others;
• Monitors medical status of patients through acute and chronic disease management and the withdrawal/detoxification of alcohol and drugs;
• Triages and refers patients to the staff physician, nurse practitioner, dentist, mental health, or substance use disorder professional;
• Administers medication as ordered by the authorizing authority and in accordance with standard operating procedures;
• Documents all treatment and counseling on the appropriate records;
• Ensures proper protective equipment is worn or used and maintains universal precautions;
• Promotes observance of safety protocols by all agency staff.

Requirements

• Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing with a bachelor's degree in Nursing; or an associate's degree accredited by the National League for Nursing or equivalent program as determined by the Virginia State Board of Nursing;
• Possession of a current license or a multistate licensure privilege to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification;
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification (required within 1 year after appointment);
• Successful completion of a criminal background check, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and clearance from the National Practitioners Database;
• Medical screening prior to starting work;
• Ability to work a shift schedule including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays;
• Designated as emergency/essential services personnel (required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies).

Skills

• Knowledge of nursing standards, theories, principles, practices, methods, and protocols;
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, policies, and procedures relating to nursing services;
• Knowledge of human growth and development, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology (e.g., medication therapeutic use, side effects, contraindications), preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition;
• Knowledge of federal and state pharmacology regulations specific to the storage, dispensing, and administration of medications;
• Knowledge of psychiatric, psychological, and/or sociological terminology and concepts;
• Knowledge of substance use disorders, addiction signs and symptoms, assessment techniques, and applicable treatment interventions;
• Ability to perform technical and complex nursing procedures (e.g., injections, venipuncture, blood pressure screening, STD testing, tube feeding, nebulization treatment, wound care assessment and dressing, and use of various medical equipment);
• Ability to apply emergency medical techniques such as CPR, control of bleeding, and airway maintenance;
• Ability to assess and monitor the effects of medical and psychiatric medications;
• Ability to maintain security of the work environment and comply with facility rules, regulations, policies, and directives;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, public and private organizations, and community medical and mental health providers;
• Ability to maintain composure in fast-paced, potentially stressful situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working as a nurse in an emergency room (ER) or Intensive Care Unit (ICU);
• Experience working as a nurse in correctional health;
• Experience providing hands-on health care.

Physical Requirements

• Required to walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, reach, and climb stairs;
• Must carry equipment up to 25 pounds in weight;
• Uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel;
• Visual acuity required to read data on a computer monitor;
• Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment;
• Frequent communication required to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Schedule

The incumbent will be assigned to a 12.5-hour shift on a squad schedule and will work 15 days per month, equal to 87.5 hours per two-week pay period. Shift options:

• Day shift: 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Night shift: 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.

The incumbent may receive additional pay such as night and evening differential, foreign language stipend, holiday pay, and environmental stipend. May receive annual performance increases as allowed by the county budget.