Job Description

Provides primary medical care, treatment, and case management to prisoners of the Salt Lake County Jails.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Professional licensure in the State of Utah as a Registered Nurse or a Multistate Nursing Compact License.

OR

Completion of an accredited college or university program and licensed as a Temporary RN Apprentice through the Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing.

Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP Back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.

Must receive a verified negative test result on a mandatory drug test before starting in this position. Will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing. May be subject to post-accident and reasonable suspicion alcohol and drug testing.

Upon hire, a two-step Tuberculosis skin test will be required. The first will need to be placed prior to starting employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Assesses the physical condition of prisoners by performing physical examinations and obtaining medical histories.
• Formulates medical plans and prognosis based on the patient's condition.
• Consults with physician(s) regarding patient health care plans and treatment; modifies patient treatment plans as indicated by patient's responses and condition.
• Provides medical first response to emergency situations in the Jails; initiates triage and determines priority of emergent/urgent care.
• Performs selected invasive procedures for therapeutic and/or diagnostic reasons within the scope of validated competence.
• Follows medical record policies regarding the complete and accurate documentation of patient care.
• Creates and maintains required records and legal documents.
• Administers medications; observes patients to assess possible adverse medication interactions and/or side effects and initiates appropriate health care interventions.
• Facilitates communication and reporting to the oncoming shift of health care staff members to promote continuity of patient care.
• Advises patients on health maintenance and disease prevention and provides case management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

• The Utah Nurse Practice Act, Prisoner Rape Elimination Act, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) medical standards, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for dealing with bio-hazardous materials, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH), Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) confidentiality requirements, and Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records (CFR 42)
• Customer service in the health care setting, including needs assessment and meeting quality standards for services
• Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; and the recognition, assessment, and treatment of individuals with behavioral and/or affective disorders
• Principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions
• Public Health policies and procedures necessary to treat and control infectious diseases

Skills and Abilities to:

• Maintain full awareness of surroundings and others’ reactions, adjust according to the situation while providing health care services to prisoners
• Monitor/assess medical emergencies or issues and form a medical response while maintaining the safety of those involved
• Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
• Recognize problems, analyze information, evaluate results, and apply general rules and standard operating procedures to choose the best solution and solve problems
• Establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships
• Handle stressful situations in a calm and professional manner
• Understand and apply security measures in the Jail environment
• Follow universal infection control procedures

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This position works in the Salt Lake County Jail (which is a locked down facility), has direct contact with prisoners, and may be exposed to stress because of human behavior in a jail environment.

It is NOT expected that the Jail Nurse will provide care to prisoners without the direct observation and assistance of a corrections officer.

Push and maintain control of medications cart weighing approximately 150 lbs., walk extensive distances, kneel, bend, and stand for long periods of time, climb stairs while transporting medical equipment, twisting and lifting heavy equipment, lift backboards and transport patients up or down stairs.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

Will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

May be subject to post-accident and reasonable suspicion alcohol and drug testing.

Positions in the jail require working shifts for 24-hour coverage. May be required to work holidays, nights, and weekends as needed.