Licensed Practical Nurse, Health Services Technician (Portland)

Initial posting: 08/10/2026 • Application deadline: 08/20/2026

About The Role

The Health Services Technician provides clinical, emergency care, and treatment to inmates in a correctional institution performing nursing functions under the supervision and written direction of a Registered Nurse (RN).

Responsibilities

• Providing wound care including post-operative dressings and maintaining aseptic conditions
• Recognizing signs and symptoms as they relate to the disease process
• Conducting nursing procedures including treatments
• Administration of medications, identification of adverse side effects, and appropriate notification of RN or physician
• Using routine equipment such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and oxygen
• Providing first aid and CPR
• Phlebotomy
• Assessing the severity of an emergency using triage format
• Developing a treatment plan for a life-threatening emergency and implementing independently
• Delegating non-nursing duties to unlicensed staff and providing direction to unlicensed staff
• Preparing accurate written documentation, records of nursing care given, and patient progress notes
• Monitoring patient's condition including vital signs, intravenous fluids, and medication needs
• Developing and executing a teaching program on medical issues for inmates, residents, or nonmedical personnel
• Understanding and applying statutes and regulations regarding patient rights and confidentiality
• Assisting with writing Nursing Policy and Procedures
• Performing EKGs and taking appropriate referral action
• Responding tactfully with patients who are combative or hostile
• Communicating with patients regarding patient's condition and medical procedures
• Working effectively with a variety of professional and paraprofessional staff
• Using proper body mechanics to safely lift and maneuver patients and various medical equipment

Requirements

• Two (2) years of experience in the care and treatment of physically ill or injured patients, including training and/or experience in pharmacy and medical laboratory techniques and procedures
• At the time of appointment, possess an Oregon Licensed Practical Nurse certification AND a valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Card
• A valid driver’s license

Qualifications

• Hygiene, sanitation, and sterilization procedures
• Microbiology and disease processes
• Nurse Practice Act and the scope of practice as defined by personal license
• Nursing practices and procedures
• Medical laboratory procedures
• Fundamentals of pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition
• Health-related resources in order to research and develop educational programs, articles, and resource documents

Working Conditions

• Requires working independently with little or no supervision
• Requires contact with adults in custody, who may become violent, in a prison setting
• Requires mandatory double shifts occasionally
• Requires walking or standing for long periods
• Requires climbing stairs
• May require limited exertion resulting from patient care
• Exposure to chemicals, radiation, communicable diseases, or other hazards inherent in a health care and correctional setting
• May require occasional local or in-state travel for training or meetings

About The Department

The Oregon Department of Corrections is responsible for over 12,000 adults in custody in 12 state prisons throughout Oregon. It advises and evaluates counties regarding administration of probation and parole programs supervising more than 24,000 offenders in Oregon communities. The mission is to protect communities, promote accountability, and transform lives.

The Oregon Department of Corrections serves a diverse and changing population of people who are incarcerated and on supervision. We commit to creating an organization both reflecting the diversity of the population we serve and ensuring all employees thrive in a culture of safety, trust, and belonging. We strive to be an anti-racist corrections system: welcoming, inclusive, and respectful of all people, free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Benefits

The salary range listed above is for non-PERS qualifying applicants. PERS qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range to reflect an additional 6.95%. The State of Oregon provides a generous benefit package, which includes:

• Family health, vision, and dental insurance
• Vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
• 21 days paid military leave for national guard and reserve components
• Optional short and long-term disability
• Term life insurance
• Fully paid retirement program
• Oregon Saving Growth Plan
• Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare

Requirements For Employment

The successful candidate for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility. Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, there may be some felony convictions that could disqualify you for this position. However, having a felony record does not exclusively restrict you from being considered as an applicant. CJIS clearance is done at the conditional job offer.