Jail Nurse

About the role

Provides a variety of professional and routine medical service which are related to the health care of adults in custody (AIC)s legally in the Grant County jail, using independent judgement in the triage and assessment of medical, dental, and mental health problems of adults in custody (AIC)s to prevent illness and communicable disease and to promote health.

Responsibilities

• Operates under the direction of the Grant County Public Health Clinic Manager.
• Works with jail/corrections staff (corrections officers and sergeants), and outside providers in the collaboration and provision of adult in custody (AIC) health care.
• Interviews adults in custody (AIC)s, gathers medical history, performs general health screenings and assessments, performs examinations, takes samples, and provides nursing diagnosis.
• Reviews intake health assessments and follows up on any medications and/or health concerns.
• Reviews and triages medical requests and evaluates, treats, refers, and follows up as appropriate.
• Provides information to authorized entities or as directed by the sheriff or the courts.
• Establishes and maintains adult in custody (AIC) medical charts and other necessary records.
• Initiates follow-up care and makes referrals to physicians, other community agencies and health resources as necessary.
• Manages the medications prescribed by the adult’s in custody (AIC) provider, procurement, administrations, security, storage, inventory and disposal of pharmaceuticals within the facility.
• Trains corrections staff on medication administration.
• Collaborates with the jail staff and the public health department/other healthcare service providers.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings as necessary/required.
• Maintains assigned work area in neat and organized condition.
• Investigates communicable disease cases in conjunction with the public health department; provides and or refers for treatment; completes necessary forms and/or reports.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of and/or a teachable attitude of methods, principles, techniques and practices of nursing.
• Considerable knowledge of and/or willingness to learn in a timely fashion the laws and regulations governing institutional health requirements, laws, administrative rules and guidelines.
• Background in public health, psychiatric, emergency, medical/surgical, critical care nursing and chronic disease care management is preferred.
• Must be well versed in medication management, interviewing, and counseling techniques.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; work tactfully and patiently with adults in custody (AIC) and co-workers; maintain records and prepare reports; use initiative and judgment; work independently; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of personnel.
• Skills in the use of medical instruments/ equipment and assessment tools and/or willingness to learn.
• Experience And Training: Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred but may have an Associates degree in Nursing; and two years of nursing experience, preferably in a corrections or public health setting; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above-described duties.
• Must be a registered nurse. Must be teachable.
• Certifications: This position required an unencumbered Oregon RN license. BSL and Bloodborne Pathogen annual certifications.