Physician Assistant / Nurse Practitioner

About the role

The job is located at the Ada County Sheriffs Office, Health Services Division, within the Ada County Jail. The jail can house up to 1,224 inmates and employs over 300 staff members. The Health Services Unit cares for up to 83 patients with acute medical or mental health care needs.

Essential Functions

• Assesses inmate/patient in various settings such as intake area, clinic, emergency situations, and infirmary
• Identifies health problems and prescribes treatment under physician's direction
• Performs or schedules laboratory and diagnostic procedures to determine health status
• Responds to and initiates care for medical emergencies throughout the facility
• Implements medical care using therapeutic regimens approved by the physician
• Identifies educational components of treatment regimens and provides patient education
• Evaluates and documents patient progress and response to medical interventions
• Makes appropriate, timely referrals and initiates treatments based on institutional policies and procedures, and physician direction
• Documents all health care contacts
• Adheres to safety and security policies and participates in disaster drills
• Follows security regulations for keys, sharps, and controlled medications
• Delegates to and supervises other team members as appropriate
• Adheres to Universal Precautions and other appropriate infection control practices
• Performs related duties as assigned

Job Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college/university physician assistant or nurse practitioner program with current certification/licensure in the State of Idaho
• Knowledge of professional medical principles, procedures, and practices
• Knowledge of standard medical equipment and supplies
• Knowledge of laws regulating narcotics, medications, and patients' rights of consent
• Ability to maintain clinical area in a clean, neat, and safe manner
• Ability to deal with and respond effectively to stressful situations in a stressful environment
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and patience
• Ability to maintain professional conduct and boundaries
• Ability to observe and understand physical conditions and behavior
• Ability to exercise sound judgment
• Ability to initiate needed treatment
• Ability to communicate findings in a comprehensive and organized fashion verbally and in writing
• Ability to document health problems and plan of care appropriately
• Ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, patients, and physicians
• Ability to maintain confidential materials and medical records

Other Requirements

• Maintain required annual licensure and credentialing requirements for physician assistants or nurse practitioners in the health care unit
• Maintain an active CPR/BLS certification
• Pass an oral interview, polygraph exam, and background investigation prior to being hired
• This position has been designated safety-sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing
• If hired as a physician assistant, MD will approve medical work

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed in a health services facility at the Ada County Jail
• Incumbent is required to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, nights, and holidays, and handle calls
• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to function in a medical office environment