PRN RN Registered Nurse

POSITION DESCRIPTION:  
Delivery of patient care through the nursing process of assessment, implementation, and evaluation. Direct and guide patient teaching, activities, and ancillary personnel while maintaining standards of professional nursing.

TYPICAL TASKS:
Assesses physical, psychological, and social dimensions of patients and implements individual treatment programs within the health care unit and in the housing units.

Applies knowledge of available resources in obtaining a health history and in assessment process.

Provides a written assessment of patient during admission, confinement, and discharge, as requested.

Summarizes and documents assessment data and makes a triage decision 

Plans an individual treatment program by utilizing available treatment protocols as written and approved by the physician, and referral process to appropriate providers as necessary.

Applies knowledge and utilizes available resources in planning care and patient teaching.

Implements clinical and technical aspects of care in accordance with established policies and procedures

Implements mental health plan by administering medication and obtaining diagnostic testing in accordance with physician’s orders.

Intervenes by administering medications and obtaining the body fluids specimens according to proper techniques and procedures

Utilizes pharmacology knowledge and available resources to include drug reaction and overdose in administering medications.

Communicates information to ancillary departments using established referral process.

Implements treatment, nutrition and therapeutic diet plans as ordered by the physician or appropriate therapist.

Intervenes with proper techniques, procedures and available resources.

Utilizes knowledge and available resources for nutrition and therapeutic diets as established by facility.

Documents nursing encounters, utilizing the narrative format of charting as required.

Communicates information to other nursing staff, physicians, medical unit supervisory personnel, correctional officers and department heads.

RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Personal responsibility for ensuring completion of daily tasks as well as following up on pass down log and/or delegated items with accuracy

Ensures clarity of understanding by familiarizing self with policies, procedures, and asking questions when unclear. Adheres to all policies and procedures established by SHP. It is understood that such policies and procedures are updated/revised periodically and it is my responsibly that I am familiar with and working with the most current and up to date version

Competent in performance of patient medical services including, but not limited to:  Crisis Intervention, Medical Emergencies, Chronic Care, Physical Assessment, Medical Nursing Care, and Mental Health Nursing Care with or without direct, immediate supervision

Accountability for knowledge as to limits of personal ability and scope of practice; knowing and verifying understanding of receiving person when delegating or passing down tasks to others

Attends seminars, workshops, conferences and completes all training as required and/or offered by SHP

Accountability for doing what you say you will do; build self-credibility and company credibility by holding self and coworkers accountable

Listens, understands, agrees and commits to achievement of objectives as a part of Medical Team environment

Alters behaviors based on feedback, when behaviors are perceived by others as offensive or embarrassing

Respects the dignity and confidentiality of all patients 

Does the right thing consistently, day in and day out, in task and relationship interactions to fulfill or further SHP’s mission and pledge as a nurse

QUALIFICATIONS:
Graduate from a National League of Nursing accredited school and holds current license to practice professional nursing in the appropriate state(s).

Competence in performance of the following services: crisis intervention, medical emergencies, physical assessment, medical nursing care, and psychiatric nursing care.

Ability to work without direct, immediate supervision in performing nursing diagnosis and providing appropriate follow-through treatment. Maintain a professional attitude at all times.

PREFER: 2 years clinical experience and prior jail setting experience.

PHYSICAL AND/OR COGNITIVE CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Medical Staff are frequently the first to respond in the event of a medical emergency.  Medical staff must maintain a CPR certification and be able to kneel and perform CPR or other emergency measures at all times while on site.  Responding to a patient in emergent need could result in the need to move or lift a patient, use stairs and/or push open steel doors in a correctional setting.  
 
Medical Staff perform a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another with frequent interruptions or distractions.  
 
Medical job duties are time sensitive and daily deadlines must be met to ensure quality patient care.  Medications are prepared and passed daily.  Maneuver of a medication cart throughout jail facility will require pushing and pulling motion.  Physical assessment of a patient may require standing, squatting, bending and lifting.  
 
Priorities adjust quickly as circumstances dictate.  Ability to interact professionally and appropriately with patients, customers, and co-workers for different purposes and in different contexts.  Speaking accurately, loudly and clearly to exchange information with patients.  Hearing breath sounds and listening to verbal speech with background noise. Clarity of vision to be able to visually read package labeling on medications, medical devices, charting and to be able to visually assess patients.  

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Must be aware of need to work cooperatively with correctional staff in situations where medical needs of inmate/ patient conflict with correctional needs of the prison.
Maintain a current copy of their license and CPR certification on file with SHP. 

Work within the boundaries as set forth by your nursing licensure, scope of practice.

Must respect the dignity and confidentiality of all patients.