Correction Staff Nurse - Correctional Medicine - Lerdo Facility - Shift

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

1d • $43 - $67 • Onsite

About The Position

Kern Medical is hiring a Correctional Staff Nurse assigned to an adult correctional medicine facility. Under the general direction of a registered nurse and within the scope of licensure, the nurse assists physicians and provides nursing assessments, screening, planning, implementation, and evaluation of safe, therapeutic care for people incarcerated in Kern County correctional facilities. The role provides basic and emergency health care in a locked detention setting and may involve working with patients from varied cultural, physical, behavioral, and psychological backgrounds, as well as exposure to facility-related odors, fumes, noise, behaviors, medical conditions, and risks of verbal abuse or injury. The classification includes entry-level and experienced correctional nursing work, with experienced nurses performing patient care with limited supervision.

Assignments may require floating to other correctional facilities according to departmental needs. A thorough physical evaluation and extensive background clearance are required. Employees are designated Disaster Service Workers and may be required to remain at or report to work during a disaster or civil disorder. A California Class C driver's license may be required depending on assignment; driving-related duties require compliance with Kern County Hospital Authority vehicle policies.

Requirements

• Hold a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in California.
• 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.
• Hold 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 continued condition of employment.
• Depending on assignment, hold a valid California Class C driver's license at appointment; specific nursing competency certificates may also be required and maintained.
• Pass an extensive background check and fingerprinting and obtain and maintain clearance for employment in Kern County correctional facilities. Felony convictions are disqualifying; misdemeanor and traffic offenses are assessed case by case.
• Complete a thorough physical evaluation and be free from conditions that prevent performance of the required work.
• Demonstrate knowledge of nursing theory, techniques, and practices; medical terminology, instruments, and equipment; and the uses and effects of medicines and narcotics.
• Be able to follow oral and written instructions; maintain concise and complete records; apply nursing-care knowledge to the assigned specialty; meet specialty, professional-development, and unit-operation criteria; communicate effectively; prepare required reports; and maintain effective working relationships with staff, customers, and patients.
• If duties require driving a personal or Kern Medical vehicle, hold a current valid California driver's license and comply with the applicable Kern County Hospital Authority vehicle-use and driving policy; Kern Medical vehicle use also requires signed authorization for release of driver record information.

Responsibilities

• Collect, interpret, and document assessment data to identify physiological or psychosocial risk factors among incarcerated persons.
• Record and report assessment findings and make appropriate referrals.
• Collaborate with physicians and allied health professionals to establish patient-care priorities.
• Implement therapeutic care for patients with multisystem disease or treatment complications.
• Conduct intake, ongoing assessments, and screenings.
• Provide treatment according to standardized procedures and scope of service.
• Implement orders from physicians and allied health professionals.
• Manage and treat contagious and sexually transmitted diseases as recommended by the Kern County Health Department and ordered by health professionals.
• Conduct quality-assurance monitoring, analyze results, and participate in process improvement.
• Accept assignments and float to other facilities as directed according to department needs.
• Anticipate patient-care problems and respond to changes, emergencies, changes in patient status, and unusual occurrences.
• Perform and document the nursing process in accordance with scientific principles, hospital policy, and patient assignments.
• 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 as appropriate in a correctional environment.
• Respond to facility events, 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 in accordance with 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, for qualifying positions.
• New-hire premium of 6% of base pay, matched up to 6% if contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan, for qualifying positions.
• Shift differentials of 10% of base pay for hours worked from 7:00 P.M. to 7:30 A.M., for qualifying positions.
• Security clearance pay of $2.00 per hour, in addition to base pay, for qualifying positions.
• Comprehensive benefits package including holidays, vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• May be eligible for participation and employer contributions in the Kern County Employees' Retirement Plan.
• Additional compensation may be available through differentials, incentives, and bonuses.

What This Job Offers

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