Description

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Tumwater, WA

Monthly Salary Range: $9,104 to $14,927

*Please Note: COVID Vaccine requirement for DOC employment NO LONGER REQUIRED*

The Department of Corrections is seeking a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Clinical Nurse Specialist to work within the Health Services Division located at our Headquarters in Tumwater, WA with working mostly remote.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist supports the agency mission and vision by serving as a 24/7 organization-wide clinical resource and liaison between/within DOC, hospitals, clinics, jails, out of state facilities, designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and the community. Advises, consults, and directs in the management of specific patient population (violators, youthful incarcerated individuals, Re-Entry Centers, mental health, county tribal borders, hospitalized individuals, Graduated Reentry, out-of-state borders, extraditions, and Extraordinary Medical Placements (EMP). Provides nursing leadership in multi divisional/disciplinary teams developing new practices, standards of care, policies, procedures, and contracts related to these populations. Develops and implements new nursing process for housing violators in DOC prison. Other tasks include, but not limited to: utilization and quality management, in-services instruction, emergent nursing coverage in prison health services when indicated, cost containment, risk mitigation, and case management.

To be considered for this position, please attach the following to your online application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 3 Professional References
• Unofficial Transcripts

Duties

Provides nursing consultation and functions as a nurse liaison 24/7 to DOC staff and community stakeholders.

• Applies professional judgement and knowledge in directing/assisting staff in determining appropriate safe placement of individuals with medical and/or mental health concerns and assists with problem solving of health services related issues.
• Directs and advises staff in obtaining pre-booking medical and/or mental health ED clearances (clear to book) when indicated based on reported health concerns from the arrest screening guide and/or reported signs symptoms and jail booking criteria.
• Coordinates safe transfer of individuals with extraordinary medical/mental health concerns taking into account officer, patient, and community safety, cost containment and transportation needs.
• Collaborates with Regional Transport, Community Corrections staff and Hearing Officers for health-related issues and transport concerns pertaining to violator population.
• Collaborates with Clinical Leadership for medical or mental health guidance when appropriate.
• Addresses calls and emails from contracted violator facilities for health-related issues pertaining to violator population.
• Collaborates with Director of Nursing for nursing related issues as appropriate.
• Documents synopsis of each case into an OMNI UM Encounter.

Facilities weekly Care Review Committee (CRC) Meeting (as assigned)

• Tracks and files correspondence related to weekly CRC.
• Generates spreadsheet for distribution to CRC panel members.
• Completes clinical synopsis and final decision in OMNI for each case reviewed.
• Emails CRC decisions to facility weekly after CRC.

Care coordination and case management of medically complex/fragile individuals with high risk/high needs to include, but not limited to, EMP, violators/GRE, Re-entry residents, prolonged in-patient hospitalizations with complex discharge, intra/interstate boarders, extradition placements, and new commits to DOC.

• Concurrent and retrospective review of medical condition to anticipate needs at discharge or transfer to determine appropriate/safe placement.
• Consults with multi-disciplinary teams to determine medical and/or mental needs and appropriate/safe placement.
• Accesses and/or obtains health records from community providers or electronic medical records for continuity of care and emergency management of incarcerated individuals.
• Prepares EMP case for presentation to Headquarters Community Safety Committee (HCSC)
• Collaborate with Community Corrections Staff, patients, family members and caregivers regarding EMP placements as indicated.
• Monitors individuals placed in the community on EMP to ensure they continue to meet medical incapacitation criteria.
• Serves as DOC medical point of contact for individual supervised or partially confined in the community.
• Documents synopsis of each case into OMIN UM Encounter.

Utilization Review and Prior/Authorization from all WA DOC incarcerated individuals housed in and out of state.

• Reviews medical billing for accuracy and adherence to contract and/or DOC Health Plan, protocols, and guidelines.
• Approves services ordered and/or rendered as indicated.
• Retrospective review of OMNI consults and/or services rendered to ensure adherence to the DOC Health Plan, protocols, and guidelines. Notifies FMD of any discrepancies noted.
• Provides prior/retro authorization to community providers for all DOC incarcerated individuals both in and out of state. Consults with FMD if there are any discrepancies noted.
• Collaborates with Violator Manager and Classification staff for issues related to boarder requests.
• Collaborates and consults with Facility Medical Directors regarding OMNI consults and FMD Level decisions needing further review or updating.
• Audit of billed charges and services rendered to ensure valid consult in OMNI as requested.
• Collaborate with Medical Disbursement Unit staff as needed.
• Documents pre-booking clearance and in-patient hospitalizations to capture Medicaid eligible events.
• Reports contract related issues to Violator Manager when appropriate.
• Reviews medical billing and authorizes payment of health care services for individuals housed in city, county, and/or out-of-state institutions.
• Approves, facilities and authorizes payment process for individuals to receive prescriptions through after-hours pharmacy.

Utilization and Quality Management Audits

• Participates in Facility Operations Audit as requested.
• Conducts utilization and/or quality management audits as defined by Health Services Administration.
• Reviews concurrent and retrospective patient care provided to DOC violators housed in contracted violator facilities.
• Identifies clinical concerns/trends for performance improvement process (PIP).
• Prepares documents and presents audit findings to stakeholders upon request.

Other duties as assigned.

• Serves as after-hours duty nursing officer for health services as assigned.
• Participates in meetings, committees and task forces as assigned.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years' experience with 1 year in a correctional, jail, or juvenile setting.
• Proficient with computer-based programs to track patient information, perform data entry, word processing, and communication via email.
• Must have demonstrated excellent verbal skills to coordinate with hospitals, jails, DOC staff and community providers.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Possess and maintain an unrestricted license to provide nursing in Washington.
• Possess and maintain a Basic Life Support license from American Heart Association
• Ability to work 24/7.
• Ability to type 50 words per minute.

• Master’s Degree with 3 years in a correctional, jail, or juvenile setting.
• Two years experience in UM and/or case management

Supplemental Information

• Mission: The mission of DOC is to improve public safety by positively changing lives.
• Our Vision: Working together for safer communities.
• Our Commitment: To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington.
• Our Core Values:
  • Cultivate an environment of integrity and trust: Corrections values partnership and trust. We foster openness and support courageous conversations. We are committed to doing what we say we are going to do by being accountable and taking personal ownership in our actions.
  • Respectful and inclusive interactions: Corrections appreciates and values individuals by promoting an inclusive and diverse environment, which encourages safety. We respect, value, and listen to the thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of our stakeholders and consider the impact on those we serve as well as each other.
  • People's safety: Corrections believes in creating an environment that values physical, mental, and emotional security and well-being. We honor those who advance safety for all.
  • Positivity in words and actions: At Corrections, we assume positive intentions and believe there is a shared desire for the best outcome. We consistently demonstrate positive behavior and always put forth our best effort.
  • Supporting people's success: Corrections is committed to our community – understanding individuals, instilling hope, embracing change, and providing opportunities.

• Please include a minimum of three (3) professional references with your application. A professional reference is defined as an individual who has been paid to supervise your work and can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job competencies. If you do not have any or sufficient professional references, please include non-related professionals, such as educators or other professional associates.

• A background check including criminal record history will be conducted prior to a new hire. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. Please consider this when deciding whether to apply.
• We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free work environment, and our employees are expected to comply with all state and federal laws. A pre-employment drug test may be administered as part of the selection process, and applicants who test positive for any controlled substances, will be disqualified from consideration.
• Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) is an aerosol pepper spray made available as a means of self-defense and/or de-escalation. Applicants with sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Animal care projects are a common component of most Washington State prisons, including dog and cat programs. Applicants with animal sensitivities or allergies are encouraged to ask about the level of exposure they could expect in this position.
• Tuberculosis (TB) is a priority health issue for DOC employees. The successful candidate may be required to provide valid proof of a baseline TB skin test within 60 days from the date of hire. When positive tests result, further information, testing and treatment will also be required. Employment is not contingent upon test results.
• This position may be represented by a bargaining unit.
• Requires respirator medical evaluation questionnaire, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the WA Industrial Safety & Act standards. Refer to WAC 296-842 to learn more.
• Must be able to work in spaces, climb stairs, walk long distances, and frequently lift up to 30 pounds. Under rare circumstances this position may be required to lift or carry up to 50 pounds and push up to 100 pounds.
• Foreign equivalent degrees awarded outside the United States must have a credential evaluation report attached to your application. You may request the required evaluation/documentation from www.wes.org and www.aice-eval.org. Until this documentation is provided, you will not be selected to move forward in the hiring process.

• Work effectively with people of different perspectives, abilities, disabilities, races, religions, ages, lifestyle preferences and social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Respectfully acknowledge people's differences and recognize these differences as important and valuable.
• Promote inclusiveness.
• Be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Respect and value diverse backgrounds and traditions.

• Salary is based on experience and is determined at the time a final offer of employment is made. The salary range listed in the job posting includes Steps A-M. Step M is a longevity step and is typically gained six years after being assigned to Step L in your permanent salary range.
• Up to 25 paid vacations days a year
• 8 hours of paid sick leave per month
• 12 paid holidays a year
• Generous retirement plan
• Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Deferred Compensation and so much more!

DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, honorably discharged veteran, veteran status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability.

For questions about this recruitment, or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, please email kathey.waggoner@doc1.wa.gov or call at (509) 907-7808.
For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.