Correctional Health Nurse (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo•San Mateo, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

San Mateo County Health's Correctional Health Services (CHS) is seeking skilled and compassionate Correctional Health Nurses to join its multidisciplinary healthcare team. This is an opportunity for experienced nursing professionals who thrive in dynamic clinical environments, exercise sound independent judgment, and are committed to providing quality, patient-centered care to individuals within the correctional system. Correctional Health Services plays an essential role in promoting the health, safety, and well-being of incarcerated individuals by delivering comprehensive medical, dental, mental health, and substance use treatment services. Working in a secure correctional environment, nurses care for patients with a wide range of acute, chronic, and complex healthcare needs while collaborating closely with medical, behavioral health, and custody personnel. This position offers a unique opportunity to expand your clinical expertise, practice with a high degree of autonomy, and make a meaningful difference in an underserved patient population. We are currently recruiting for: Two regular, benefited full-time position (1.0 FTE). Several Extra-Help and Relief Correctional Health Nurse positions, with a variety of shifts available. Assignments may be located at any of the County's three correctional facilities: Maguire Correctional Center – Redwood City Maple Street Correctional Center – Redwood City Youth Services Center – San Mateo Under general direction, Correctional Health Nurses independently perform the full range of professional nursing duties, exercise advanced clinical judgment and may provide lead direction to nursing and paraprofessional personnel. Responsibilities include patient assessment and triage, medication administration, treatment planning, emergency intervention, patient education, and coordination of ongoing care. About Correctional Health Services Correctional Health Services provides integrated healthcare to San Mateo County's incarcerated adult population, along with medical and dental services for youth in custody. Services include: Medical Care: Health screenings, acute and chronic disease management, patient education, and 24-hour emergency response. Clinical services address conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and HIV, as well as obstetric, orthopedic, and urgent care needs. Dental Care: Treatment and medication for urgent dental conditions, including extractions, for adults and youth. Mental Health Services: Crisis intervention, psychiatric evaluation and treatment, medication management, behavioral support, and continuing care referrals. Behavioral Health and Recovery: Day treatment through the Life Skills Program at Maguire and Maple Street Correctional Centers, group therapy, and cognitive behavioral approaches to addiction and recovery. Reentry Services: Care coordination, education, and referrals to support continuity of care as individuals transition back into the community.

Requirements

Possession of a California license as a Registered Nurse or equivalent
A valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Knowledge of Nurse Practice Act.
Knowledge of current nursing and related medical theory and skills necessary to administer nursing care within assigned clinical setting.
Knowledge of safety and infection control practices.
Knowledge of clinical systems, supplies and equipment.
Ability to perform nursing procedures required for assigned clinical setting.
Ability to comply with clinical procedures and policies.
Ability to maintain professional nurse-patient relationships.
Ability to communicate with and educate patients, families, and the public who come from a diverse background.
Ability to work harmoniously with other personnel.
Ability to follow safety practices.
Ability to assist in the instruction of other nursing and paraprofessional personnel.
Ability to bend, kneel and squat as needed.
Ability to occasionally use upper extremities to exert force to push and pull patients/objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more.
Ability to work in a busy environment.
Must be available to work assigned shifts within a locked correctional facility, including weekends.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in correctional health, emergency department, or urgent care settings.
Experience in OB/GYN, pediatrics, or psychiatric care is also desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Complete patient assessments and triage, record patient histories, symptoms and observations.
Establish and implement nursing care plans for each patient through assessment, development, activation and evaluation.
Participate in patient case conferences and rounds.
Organize, assign and supervise duties and responsibilities of other staff members as a team leader; orient and teach new staff members of the nursing team and students.
Perform nursing care following prescribed rules, policies, protocol and procedures.
Identify problems, assist in data gathering, propose solutions and participate in evaluation of quality assurance issues.
Work with patient and their families to provide in-hospital and after-hospital follow-up through teaching and referral.
Participate in educational programs to maintain level of expertise.
Participate in non-clinical assignments, which may include maintaining records, preparing reports and/or serving on special committees.
Maintain records and prepare reports both Electronic and Paper format.
Operates a variety of medical machinery and equipment.
Administer treatment and medications.
Maintain knowledge of outpatient resources.
Develop discharge plans for patients.
Perform related duties as assigned and as required by assigned work setting.
Perform professional nursing duties within a locked correctional facility.
Check vital signs, give injections, and perform catherizations, IZ Registry and Point of Care Testing.
Start, maintain and discontinue intravenous lines and draw labs.
Monitor patient rehabilitation.
Perform Physical Exams and mental status exams and implement plan of care based on assessment findings.
Monitor patients in restraint and seclusion and maintain patient safety.
Determine medical or psychiatric emergency need and provide intervention.
Recognize symptoms of major psychiatric diagnosis.