What are the responsibilities and job description for the Jail Nurse - LPN position at Bonner County?
BONNER COUNTY
JOB TITLE: Licensed Practical Nurse*
DEPARTMENT: Bonner County Sheriff's Office
SUPERVISOR: Jail Physician, RN (Nurse Supervisor), Jail Commander
SUPERVISION: Provide support and indirect supervision to the Team of First
STATUS: Non-Exempt
LAST REVISION: 07/09/2010
- The LPN’s job responsibilities will be limited by his/her license.
JOB SCOPE:
Perform a variety of duties and responsibilities related to providing health care to County
inmates (both adults and juveniles) while incarcerated. Provide emergency medical, dental and
non-emergency services. Evaluate mentally ill, suicide-prone and disabled inmates for proper
housing assignments. Administer medications as ordered by the jail physician. Evaluate and treat
alcohol withdrawal and/or drug withdrawal, per applicable nursing protocols. All health care
aspects are for the adult offenders in the jail and the juvenile offenders housed at the juvenile
detention center.
Other Information: Verbal and written communication skills are essential. Must have effective
communication with the deputies, other members of the jail medical team, doctors in the
community, specialists, and those professionals associated with select state and federal agencies.
Must take direction well and work individually. Must be familiar with the medications
administered, know the actions, uses, indications, dosages, contraindications drug interactions,
and toxic effects. Must be able to give injections and perform venipuncture.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities,
which are not listed in any particular order of priority and may be amended or added to by the
County at any time:
1. Assess and triage daily non-emergency injuries and illness.
2. Identify and respond appropriately to all emergencies.
3. Identify mentally ill inmates, and identify any potential psychiatric issues.
4. Administer all prescriptions in the prescribed dosage at the prescribed time.
5. Take verbal and/or telephone directions from the jail doctor and/or RN (nursing
supervisor).
Licensed Practical Nurse
Job Description
Page 2
6. Identify alcohol and drug related withdrawals and recognize the severity very early on.
7. Be firm, fair, and consistent in the dealings of all inmates.
8. Observe and follow all security direction from the deputies to maintain the safety and
security of the facility.
9. Accurate accountability of all medications and needles.
10. Maintain medical records and confidentiality.
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
1. Follow all Policy and Procedures.
2. Follow all nursing protocols.
3. Be familiar with infectious diseases and implementation of isolation control precautions.
4. Provide on-going inmate education as related to health care needs and activities of daily
living.
5. Provide continuity of care for inmates leaving the facility and entering the community.
6. Provide transfer screening when inmates leave to another facility.
7. Have working knowledge of dietary needs.
8. Provide education and follow-up care for special needs inmates while incarcerated.
9. Have working knowledge of assessment and treatment for suicide prevention.
10 Perform all other duties as assigned.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS:
1. Prefer a minimum of three years of nursing experience in an established medical practice,
clinic, etc.
2. Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening and background investigation.
3. Must have a valid Idaho Licensed Practical Nurse license.
4. Must be CPR certified.
5. Prior work in a correctional facility helpful.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, through oral, computer and writing.
7. Professional phone skills and computer skills a must.
8. Ability to interact with the public in a professional manner.
9. Ability to develop and maintain a harmonious working relationship with others, both
inside and outside the organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to perform all activities as mentioned. Requires continual standing and walking, pushing
and pulling objects. Must be able to work fill-in schedule, if necessary, for vacation or illness
coverage. Worker may be subject to environmental conditions including exposure to air borne
pathogens, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and other biohazards through regular contact
with inmates and others.
Salary : $34