Job Description

Posting number: HS-WCCW-2026-05962

Department: Dept. of Corrections

Division: HS - WCCW

Job classification: ADVANCED REGISTERED NURSE PRACTITIONER

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Corrections, Health Services, Medical/Dental

Correctional Health is a rewarding career path at DOC, in which health care professionals treat a wide array of cases for patients residing in a state correctional facility. Health Services is responsible for basic primary care for incarcerated individuals. All disciplines within all of the 12 correctional facilities work closely together to reach a common goal, providing the best, most efficient, and cost-effective health care possible. Emphasis is placed on early identification of health concerns, care for acute and chronic health problems, and preventive care.

A completed application packet will include:

• A detailed resume
• A cover letter.
• Three professional references
• Required Transcripts

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible.
"This recruitment could be used to fill multiple permanent or non-permanent positions."

Examples of duties

Duties Can Include:

Provide direct patient services. Collaborating with a licensed psychiatrist, provide psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis and medication management for the mentally ill incarcerated individuals. Services to assigned patients continue if they are moved to segregation or COA.

• Assess, monitor and interpret objective and subjective data collected about the health status, clinical condition or situation of individual’s family; observe, inspect, and examine to identify patterns and variances from the desired outcome.
• Diagnose mental health related problems and determine outcomes
• Participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team in treatment planning with a primary focus on evaluation diagnosis and medical management. Develop psychopharmacological aspects of the treatment plan.
• Ensure continuity of care. Deliver health care, defining time frames and pathways for delivery of services and determining priorities and sequences of care to be provided.
• Implement plan of care by providing direct patient care; directing others about the urgency, timeframes and methods to deliver health care on and off site; determining when need for care or services become more urgent, need clarification or another type or level of intervention; taking action as necessary to provide orders and accomplish prescribed interventions in a timely and clinically responsive manner.
• Analyze and evaluate the structure, process and timeframes for service delivery; the expected effects of treatment or intervention; the outcomes to be achieved; revision of the plan of care to prevent complications and intervene to address new or emerging problems or to improve care and service delivery.
• Obtain informed consent for treatment and appropriately utilize surrogate decision-makers when patients are incompetent.
• Initiate and renew involuntary antipsychotic medication, including preparing documents and testifying at hearings when clinically appropriate.
• Participate in release planning including prescribing appropriate release medications.

Provide and ensure effective communication and documentation; collaborate and communicate effectively.

• Effectively communicate verbally, in writing and via computer or other electronic media with incarcerated individuals, other health care personnel, custody and other institutional personnel
• Legibly document subjective and objective clinical findings as well as the actions taken to deliver all aspects of health care.
• Solicit information to identify problems and develop solutions.
• Ensure that plans to deliver care are implemented by self and others and revised as necessary, resulting in safe, timely and clinically appropriate provision.
• Prepare clinical reports and correspondence on patient progress.
• Consult and seek clinical supervision with Chief of Psychiatry regarding complex cases.
• Confer with multidisciplinary staff on mental health and special needs of patients
• Assure continuity of care by adhering to protocols of communication when patients transfer between institutions
• Serve as a resource or other disciplines
• Protect the confidentiality of health records
• Maintain accurate, legible, and complete records of patient care.
• Complete unusual incident reports as directed, collected data, investigate and complete reports
• Respond to verbal and written requests from patients and institution staff

Establish therapeutic relationships that preserve professional boundaries with patients

• Counsel, teach and assist patients
• Provide accurate authoritative information to groups or communities

Actively participate in clinic/facility-wide Coordinated Quality Improvement Program (CQIP) meetings, projects and programs

• Participate/represent the facility on Statewide quality improvement initiatives, share our processes and learn from other facilities; implement best practices in patient care.
• Participate in Health Services Quality Improvement activities.
• Practice in accordance with DOC Policy and the DOC Health Plan.
• Participate in formal clinical oversight

Other duties as assigned

• Promote safety; be an active participant, be aware, be alert, act safely and make recommendations
• Write incident reports and upon direction of leadership including Shift Lt.
• Keep abreast of new methods, techniques and other developments in the field through reading research journals, attending seminars, workshops, professional affiliations, etc.
• Remain up to date concerning specific work flow expectations and facility processes

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Must possess a valid Washington State licensure to practice as a Registered Nurse, AND current certification from an approved national certification program (American Nurses Credentialing Center, ANCC) verifying completion of an advanced formal education program, AND possess a current designation as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in the State of Washington
  OR
• Possession of a Psychiatric DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice).
  OR
• Recent graduates of the formal program who are awaiting the results of the licensing examination must have a Washington State issued temporary permit. Failure to obtain a license shall result in the immediate termination from the position by the Appointing Authority.
  AND
• Must hold an unrestricted license to practice as a midlevel practitioner and prescribe scheduled drugs.
• Masters degree in Nursing and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner certification (Psychiatric).
• Initial and continuous unblemished/unrestricted licensure in the State of Washington as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with prescriptive authority.
• Certification by the American Heart Association in Basic Life Support OR Medic First Aid CPR OR Care plus CPR.
• One year of working experience as an ARNP
• Demonstrate facility with all classes of psychotropic medications and prescribe accordingly. Makes diagnoses in accordance with current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Accounts for medical problems and their interaction with patients regardless of diagnosis, sociocultural background and criminal history.

Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrated knowledge of professional, ethical guidelines for mental health professionals.
Maintains professional boundaries and has expectations that supervisors, peers, and subordinates do the same. This includes legal and professional expectations and guidelines concerning patient confidentiality.
Set the standards for professional behavior. Model pro-social behaviors; reinforce positive behaviors; redirect negative behaviors; and effectively communicate observed behaviors to responsible program staff, administrators, and supervisors. Demonstrated ability to build positive and constructive working relationships with patients and supervisors. Displays a positive attititude and optimism regarding occupation in correctional health care.
Be a supportive team member of the WCCW Health Services team
Competencies include:
• Respond in a timely maner to requests
• Attend team and health staff meetings
• Support quality performance of others
• Seek feedback and give constructive feedback
• Share knowledge and information, and encourage others.
• Support and suggest innovative ideas and strategies.
• Foster teamwork
• Practice fiscal responsibility
• Practice in accordance with DOH Scope of Practice, DOC policy and the DOC Health Plan.
• Understand and follow the Chain of Command
Maintain updated knowledge of Statewide and local processes to ensure continuity of care provision.
CONFIDENTIALITY: Maintain patient confidentiality and expect the same from other staff.
INTERPERSONAL SKILL: Is able to build positive and constructive working relationships with supervisors, peers, subordinates and outside agencies. Recognize when others need help/encouragement. Display a positive attitude
and optimism regarding occupation in correctional pharmacy. Is a team player and emphasizes the team approach to the provision of pharmacy services.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION ABILITY: Work diligently and effectively to mediate disputes and create workable solutions to identified problems in a timely manner. Respond to difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations involving staff or patients with empathy and in ways that minimize discord and maintain good working relationships.
STRESS TOLERANCE: Effectively handle highly stressful or adverse situations, making good decisions. Stay focused on task in spite of distractions and handle interruptions appropriately.
PLANNING/DECISION MAKING: Use sequential thought process to develop goals, action plans and solutions to difficulties. Can and does list and describe the factors that were considered in making a decision and each factor’s relative importance. Consider the impact of decisions on all others who would be affected by decisions.
ANALYSIS: Use data and information in a clear and rational thought process to access and understand issues, evaluate options, form accurate conclusions and make decisions. Identify key facts, understand the nature and relationship between data elements, recognizes underlying principles or patterns in an array of data, determine if additional data should be collected. Use judgement and critical thinking in the absence of clear guidelines to draw conclusions about further actions.
OBSERVATION AND INSPECTION: Critically observe and inspect people, conditions and the environment to detect problems. Acutely aware of critical details, alert and attentive when performing other work. Understand normal conditions and constantly compaire the current status to the norm to identify subtle changes and incremental deviation. Make informed judgement about when a change in current status must occur and determine appropriate action. Use insight to identify contributing and mitigating factors. Understand that documentation and other forms of communication cause others to understand and take appropriate actions.
DECISIVENESS: Make timely decisiosn without sacrificing quality even under mbiguous circumstances or when data is limited. Recognize when a decision must be made and move forward. Delegate decision making authority appropriately. Advocate for important patient are objectives and find common ground and solutions among diverse interests.
ADAPTABILITY/FLEXIBILITY: Able to adapt to changing philosophies, expectations and priorities. Incorporate new information into an existing framework of understanding. Accept change and support the Department through changes in administration, law, policy and procedure.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: Seek to increase knowledge by taking seminars and consulting with other professionals.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment techniques
• Certified Correctional Health Professional by the Academy of Correctional Health Professionals
• Use of psychiatric assessment instruments.
• Experience working within the constraints of a limited health plan and/or formulary restrictions.
• Experience working in a correctional health environment.
  
  

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• 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.

**Please note: Phone number AND email address are required for all professional references.

• 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 ofhire. 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.

We are committed to hiring individuals who possess core diversity competencies:

Foster a positive attitude and openness toward the ever changing social and cultural makeup of the workplace.

• 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.

What We Offer:

As an employee of the Department of Corrections, your work-life integration is a priority. Washington State employees are offered one of the most inclusive and competitive benefits packages in the nation. Besides comprehensive family insurance for medical, dental, and vision, these perks also may include:

• 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!

Many DOC jobs are covered by the Public Safety Employees' Retirement System (PSERS). If someone moves from a Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) eligible position to a PSERS eligible position, they actually retire under two different systems/plans. For more information, please contact the Department of Retirement System at: 1-800-547-6657.

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 Angela Berrier at amberrier@doc1.wa.gov or call at 509. 540.7078. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.