Clinical Registered Nurse

DIHS has vacancies for registered nurses seeking careers with unlimited potential. The incumbent will provide a full range of primary patient care services to include intake screenings, completion of physical exams and development and implementation of comprehensive treatment plans in accordance with DIHS policy, nursing scope of practice and other duties as assigned. The clinic which is comprised of both an ambulatory care and inpatient units is located in a correctional detention facility and supports a law enforcement mission. The candidate will also be expected to take on additional duties such as safety officer, infection control officer, and participate in international and domestic medical escorts.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiates and maintains compliance with NCCHC policies for accreditation.
• Provides direct nursing care to detainees.
• Performs medical histories on detainees entering the Service Processing Center (SPC). Any medical problems are referred to the physician, or mid level provider.
• Evaluates health care needs of detainees and develops nursing care plans to meet those needs.
• Provides triage and screening of detainees during sick call. Identifies and manages minor illnesses as directed under established nursing guidelines and refers other medical problems to the appropriate medical provider.
• Provides group and individual health education to detainees.
• Assists the medical provider with medical appointments by taking the detainees vital signs, documenting them in the chart and assisting as necessary.
• Ensures the medical providers orders are implemented.
• Ensures that medications prescribed are administered as ordered. When medication orders are signed off, initials are placed next to the order and circled.
• Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics in dispensing medication.
• Maintains security when dispensing medications and is continually cognizant of the potential hazard of drug hoarding and trafficking among detainees.
• Destroys and properly disposes of all needles/syringes. Maintains accuracy of Sharps Log.
• Maintains non-involvement in the security aspects of care.
• Documents using S.O.A.P. format, followed by the nurses signature and name stamp.
• Documents all detainee contacts.
• Maintains patient and medical record confidentiality.
• Performs or assists in the performance of emergency treatment of injury or illness to detainees as required.
• Carries out orders authorized by the physician, nurse Practitioner, or NP/PA.
• Provides nebulizer treatments; inserts indwelling urinary catheters; irrigates indwelling urinary catheters.
• Follows procedures as designated in the Lippincott Nursing Manual.
• May prepare statistical information, regularly scheduled reports, or special reports as necessary.
• Draws labs as requested and collects laboratory specimens.
• Administers immunizations. Plants PPD's and reads and records them.
• Attends general/medical staff meetings.
• Coordinates health care needs of detainees with other staff members and coordinates referrals to off-site providers as required.
• Assures a safe and clean working environment.
• Provides care for psychiatric patients.
• Performs record keeping functions in accordance with program policies.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Responsible for maintenance of medical equipment and quality control of laboratory reagents.
• May serve as medical escort of detainees as needed for domestic/overseas travel.
• Maintains medical supply stock level, restocking as needed. May order supplies (lab and other supplies).
• Performs or designates other staff to dispose of biologically hazardous wastes on a regular basis.
• May participate in QI Reviews.
• If an Infirmary (Short Stay Unit) is onsite, provides daily nursing care as needed and notifies physician, or PA/NP of any abnormal findings. Makes beds for patients in the Infirmary.
• May serve at other INS HSD medical facilities on temporary duty (TDY).

FACTOR 1, Knowledge:

• The incumbent maintains a current nursing license, has a BSN and meets continuing education requirements for the State(s) licensed in.
• Must be licensed by a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or territory of the United States.
• Maintains current CPR certification.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing principals, procedures, and techniques to patient care and nursing supervision.
• Practical knowledge of medication, administration guidelines, and pharmaceutical agents and their desired and adverse effects in order to recognize untoward effects and take appropriate corrective measures.
• Knowledge of training methods and sufficient interpersonal skills to develop a rapport with patients and co-workers during which instructional and educational information is presented.
• Knowledge of and participation in established clinic, program and NCCHC requirements on safety, infection control, quality assurance, maintenance of records of patients seen, statistical information gathering, etc.
• Alertness and skill in providing care and reacting to emergency situations.
• Ability to provide patient health education instruction.

FACTOR 2, Supervisory Controls:

Works under the direction of the Health Services Administrator (HSA). If the HSA is not a clinician, the clinical supervision is provided by the Clinical Director.

FACTOR 3, Physical Demands:

Work requires walking, standing, bending, and some lifting, for example to assist patients out of wheelchairs.

FACTOR 4, Work Environment:

Work is performed in the medical section of the medical facility in an INS Service Processing Center for detained undocumented migrants. The work is performed in a medical setting where there is exposure as well as risk associated in work with detained populations having criminal and non-criminal backgrounds.