Institution Registered Nurse (Salem)

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

4d•$8,443 - $11,932•Onsite

About The Position

The Oregon Department of Corrections is seeking Registered Nurses to provide on-site, patient-centered health care to incarcerated individuals at Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. Nurses provide evidence-based care to a population with significant mental health, substance use, and socioeconomic needs, and serve as health care advocates. The role offers flexible scheduling, a manageable patient load, and continuity of care without the pressures of billing or insurance. The position includes direct nursing care, coordination of on-site and community-based services, patient and staff education, documentation, and coordination of unit operations. Nurses may assume responsibility for unit operations when management staff are absent and monitor medical supplies, including secure storage and accurate accounting of controlled supplies. This position is represented by AFSCME and may be eligible for Police & Fire benefits through PERS as defined by statute. The listed salary range is $8,443–$11,932; PERS-qualifying applicants may be eligible for an adjusted range reflecting an additional 6.95%.

Requirements

Possess a valid Oregon Registered Professional Nurse's License at the time of appointment.
The agency may require training or experience in a specialized area of nursing.
Knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, and theory.
Knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing nursing practice.
Knowledge of medical terminology and pharmacology management.
Knowledge of medical ethics, counseling and intervention techniques, disease processes and treatment methods, and infection control and communicable disease management.
Ability to operate personal computers.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work independently with little or no supervision and perform in a high-stress environment.
Ability to work any or all days of the week and any shift, including day, swing, or graveyard; occasional mandatory double shifts are required.
Ability to work in a correctional setting with adults in custody who may become violent.
Ability to walk or stand for long periods, climb stairs, lift heavy items, and perform limited exertion related to patient care.
Ability to work around possible exposure to chemicals, radiation, communicable diseases, or other health care and correctional-setting hazards.
May need to travel locally or within Oregon occasionally for training or meetings.
Successful candidate must pass a CJIS fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.
Submit a resume and cover letter addressing interest, desired attributes, and qualifications.

Nice To Haves

An unencumbered Oregon nursing license is preferred.
Bilingual skills (eligible for a 5% incentive).
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (eligible for a 4.75% incentive).
Master of Science in Nursing (eligible for a 9.5% incentive).
Lead Worker qualification (eligible for a 5% incentive).
Social justice orientation, teamwork with a positive mindset, focus on health equity, and advocacy for harm reduction.

Responsibilities

Provide nursing care, including patient assessment, nursing diagnosis, care planning, medication administration, laboratory and medical procedures, and treatment in accordance with policies, protocols, provider orders, and evidence-based standards.
Coordinate patient health care by scheduling on-site and community-based services.
Provide comprehensive patient education and serve as a health care resource for non-medical staff.
Advocate for patient care needs so they are met in a timely manner and are not adversely affected by the correctional environment.
Maintain accurate, legible, and complete patient-care records, including requests for medical attention, objective data, treatment, treatment-effectiveness evaluations, and patient education.
Coordinate nursing care activities with services provided by other departments.
Assume responsibility for unit operations in the absence of management staff.
Evaluate and monitor medical supplies, maintain sufficient inventory, and ensure accurate accounting and secure storage, including narcotic, needle, and syringe counts.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and basic employee life coverage through PEBB.
Retirement benefits through PERS; the State also describes a fully paid retirement program.
Paid vacation leave and sick leave accrued monthly.
11 paid holidays.
21 days of paid military leave for National Guard and reserve components.
Optional short- and long-term disability.
Term life insurance.
Oregon Savings Growth Plan.
Flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.
Wage increases in accordance with the applicable labor contract.
Shift incentives: swing shift $3.92 per hour, night shift $5 per hour, and weekend shift $5 per hour.
Additional incentives may include 5% for bilingual skills, 4.75% for BSN, 9.5% for MSN, and 5% for Lead Worker.