Correctional Staff Nurse - Full Time - Lerdo Clinic - Shift - Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

7d • $44 - $69 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of a registered nurse, and within the scope of licensure, the Correctional Staff Nurse assists physicians in a correctional facility by assessing, screening, planning, implementing, and evaluating safe, therapeutic care for incarcerated persons in Kern County correctional facilities. Nurses provide basic and emergency health care in adult correctional medicine facilities and may serve across facilities as departmental needs require.

The role involves working in a locked detention facility with patients of varied cultural, physical, behavioral, and psychological profiles. The setting may involve extended exposure to odors, fumes, noise, challenging behaviors, and medical conditions associated with detention facilities, as well as the ongoing risk of verbal abuse or injury. The classification spans entry-level through experienced correctional nursing work, with experienced nurses providing patient care with limited supervision.

The estimated pay is $43.5114 to $68.5608; the rates include a 6% premium. Additional compensation may be available through differentials, incentives, and bonuses, and the position may be eligible for participation and employer contributions in the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan. A background investigation and clearance are required for correctional medicine assignments. A thorough physical evaluation is required, and employees must maintain applicable certifications and clearances.

Requirements

• Hold a valid California license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Have one year of experience as a Registered Nurse, or one year of vocational nursing experience providing direct patient care in a correctional health care setting.
• Have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at the time of hire.
• Maintain RQI Provider certification and competency as a condition of continued employment.
• Pass an extensive background check, be fingerprinted, and possess and maintain clearance to work in Kern County correctional facilities.
• Pass a thorough physical evaluation and be free of conditions that prevent performance of the required work.
• Be able to follow oral and written instructions and maintain concise, complete records.
• Demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care specific to the assigned work area or specialty.
• Meet content and performance criteria for the assigned specialty, leader/professional development, and unit operations.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, prepare and maintain required written reports, and establish effective working relationships with staff, employees, customers, and patients.
• Depending on assignment, possess a valid California Class C driver’s license at appointment and maintain any required nursing competency certificates.
• If required to drive for the position, hold a valid California driver’s license and comply with the applicable Kern County Hospital Authority vehicle-use and driving policy.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect, interpret, and document data to identify physiological or psychosocial risk factors among incarcerated persons.
• Record and report assessment data and make appropriate referrals.
• Communicate and collaborate with physicians and allied health professionals to set patient-care priorities.
• Implement therapeutic care for patients with multisystem disease or treatment complications.
• Perform intake and ongoing assessments and screenings.
• Treat patients according to standardized procedures and the scope of service.
• Implement orders written by physicians or allied health professionals.
• Manage and treat contagious and sexually transmitted diseases according to Kern County Health Department recommendations and provider orders.
• Perform quality-assurance monitoring, analyze results, and participate in process improvement.
• Accept assignments and float to other facilities as directed to meet Correctional Medicine Department needs.
• Anticipate patient-care problems and respond to unit changes by prioritizing emergencies, changes in patient status, and unusual occurrences.
• Perform and document the nursing process consistent with scientific principles, hospital policy, and assigned patient-care needs.
• Enter applicable information in the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS).
• Schedule appointments for incarcerated persons with physicians, allied health professionals, or others as appropriate.
• Administer and help monitor the Self Administration Medication program (SAM) or other designated programs.
• Practice personal safety awareness and advocate for incarcerated persons’ safety in the correctional environment.
• Respond to facility changes and incidents, including lockdowns, altercations, riots, medical priorities, quarantines, and exposure to chemical restraints.
• Assist with orientation and training of new staff and complete required competencies, mandatory classes, and educational coursework.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by Title 15, HIPAA, and the Penal Code.
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

Benefits

• $6,000 new-hire sign-on bonus paid in three installments.
• New-hire premium of 6% of base pay, matched up to 6% when contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Shift differentials of 10% of base pay for hours worked from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
• Security clearance pay of $2.00 per hour in addition to base pay.
• Comprehensive benefits package including holidays, vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Potential participation and employer contributions in the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed