Correction Staff Nurse - Correctional Medicine - Lerdo Facility - Shift

Kern Medical•Bakersfield, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Kern Medical is hiring a Correctional Staff Nurse for assignment at an adult Kern County correctional facility. Under the general direction of a registered nurse and within the scope of licensure, the nurse assists physicians and allied health professionals in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating safe, therapeutic care for incarcerated people. The role provides basic and emergency health care in a locked detention facility and may involve patients with varied cultural, physical, behavioral, and psychological profiles, exposure to conditions associated with detention facilities, and risk of verbal abuse or injury. Nurses may work with limited supervision and may be assigned or floated to other facilities according to departmental needs. The estimated pay is $42.6582 to $67.2165 per hour. The displayed rates include a 6% premium; additional compensation may be available through differentials, incentives, and bonuses. The position may also be eligible for participation and employer contributions in the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan. Listed benefits and incentives include a $6,000 new-hire bonus paid in three installments, a 6% new-hire premium matched up to 6% when contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan, a 10% shift differential for hours worked from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., $2.00 per hour in security clearance pay, and holidays, vacation, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. Candidates for correctional medicine assignments must pass a background investigation and maintain clearance to work in Kern County correctional facilities. Felony convictions are disqualifying; misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying or assessed case by case. A thorough physical evaluation is required. Employees are designated Disaster Service Workers and may be required to remain at or report to work during a disaster or civil disorder when safe and practicable.

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.
Depending on assignment, possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License at appointment.
Depending on assignment, possess and maintain specific nursing competency certificates required as a condition of employment.
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 knowledge specific to the assigned work area or specialty; meet specialty, professional-development, and unit-operation criteria; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; prepare required written reports; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Pass the required background investigation and fingerprinting and maintain clearance for employment in Kern County correctional facilities.
Complete a thorough physical evaluation and be free from conditions that prevent performance of the required work.
If driving is required, hold a current valid California Driver’s License and comply with the applicable Kern County Hospital Authority vehicle-use and driving policy; driving a Kern Medical vehicle also requires a signed authorization for release of driver record information.

Responsibilities

Collect, interpret, and document assessment data to identify physiological or psychosocial risk factors; report findings and make appropriate referrals.
Collaborate with physicians and allied health professionals to set patient-care priorities.
Provide therapeutic care for patients with multisystem disease or complications of treatment.
Perform intake, ongoing assessments, and screenings, and treat patients using appropriate standardized procedures within 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 as ordered by clinicians.
Conduct quality assurance monitoring, analyze results, and participate in process improvement.
Accept assignments and float to other facilities as directed according to Correctional Medicine Department needs.
Anticipate care problems and respond to changes by prioritizing emergencies, changes in patient status, and unusual occurrences.
Perform and document the nursing process in accordance with scientific principles and hospital policy.
Enter pertinent information in the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS), as applicable.
Schedule appointments for incarcerated people with physicians, allied health professionals, or others as appropriate.
Administer and assist with monitoring the Self Administration Medication (SAM) program or other designated programs.
Practice personal safety awareness and advocate for incarcerated people’s safety in the 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, complete required competencies and mandatory classes, and undertake required 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
6% new-hire premium matched up to 6% when 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 in security clearance pay
Holidays
Vacation
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Possible participation and employer contributions in the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Plan