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

Kern Medical • Bakersfield, CA

6d • 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 performing nursing assessments, screening, planning, implementation, and evaluation of safe, therapeutic care for people incarcerated in Kern County correctional facilities. Nurses provide basic and emergency health care in adult correctional medicine facilities and perform patient care with limited supervision at the experienced journey level.

The role is distinguished from hospital nursing by its assignment in a locked detention facility, where patients have varied cultural, physical, behavioral, and psychological profiles. The work involves extended exposure to conditions associated with detention facilities and a constant risk of verbal abuse or injury. Staff may float to other facilities as departmental needs require and must respond to facility events such as lockdowns, altercations, riots, medical priorities, quarantines, and exposure to chemical restraints.

The position requires a California Registered Nurse license, qualifying nursing experience, and a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS card at hire. A thorough physical evaluation and extensive background clearance, including fingerprinting, are required. Felony convictions are disqualifying; misdemeanor and traffic offenses are assessed case by case. The estimated pay is $43.5114 to $68.5608 per hour, including a 6% premium. Additional compensation may be available through differentials, incentives, and bonuses, and the position may be eligible for participation and employer contributions to the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan. Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.

Requirements

• Possess 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.
• Possess 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.
• Undergo a thorough physical evaluation and be free from conditions that prevent performance of the required work.
• Pass an extensive background check and fingerprinting and maintain clearance for employment in Kern County correctional facilities. Felony convictions are disqualifying; misdemeanor and traffic offenses are assessed case by case.
• Depending on assignment, possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License at appointment.
• Follow oral and written instructions; maintain concise and complete records; demonstrate practical and theoretical knowledge of nursing care for the assigned work area or specialty; meet specialty, professional-development, and unit-operation criteria; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; prepare and maintain required reports; and establish effective working relationships with staff, employees, customers, and patients.
• Maintain any specific nursing competency certificates required for the assignment.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Collect, interpret, and document data to identify physiological and psychosocial risk factors among incarcerated patients; report assessment findings and make appropriate referrals.
• Collaborate with physicians and allied health professionals to set patient-care priorities.
• Implement therapeutic care for patients with multisystem disease or complications of treatment.
• Perform intake and ongoing assessments and screenings.
• Treat patients in accordance with standardized procedures and the scope of service.
• Implement orders written by physicians or allied health professionals.
• Manage and treat contagious and sexually transmitted diseases as recommended by the Kern County Health Department and ordered by clinicians.
• Conduct quality-assurance monitoring, analyze results, and participate in process improvement.
• Accept assignments and float to other facilities as directed by the clinical director, clinical supervisor, or designee.
• Anticipate patient-care problems and respond to unit changes, prioritizing emergencies, changes in patient status, and unusual occurrences.
• Perform and document the nursing process in accordance with scientific principles, hospital policy, and patient assignment requirements.
• Enter pertinent information in the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), as applicable.
• Schedule appointments for incarcerated patients with physicians, allied health professionals, or others as appropriate.
• Administer and assist with monitoring the Self Administration Medication program (SAM) or other designated programs.
• Practice personal safety awareness and advocate for patient safety as appropriate to a correctional environment.
• Respond to facility changes, 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% if contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan.
• 10% shift differential for hours worked from 7:00 P.M. to 7:30 A.M.
• $2.00 per hour security clearance pay in addition to base pay.
• Comprehensive benefits package including holidays, vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• May be eligible for participation and employer contributions to 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