LICENSED PRACT NURSE Correctional Facility

Meadville Medical Center•Meadville, PA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides nursing services to incarcerated individuals in a county jail facility and assists physicians and mid-level practitioners with patient care in accordance with the Licensed Practical Nurse Act. The role includes preparing patients for provider visits, administering medications and vaccinations, assisting with procedures, collecting specimens, performing limited on-site laboratory tests as ordered, educating patients, and documenting care. It also involves maintaining medical records, clinical supplies, equipment, exam rooms, and medication inventory; scheduling tests and appointments; and supporting patient flow and administrative operations. The nurse must comply with correctional facility security and safety policies, coordinate with correctional officers, maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and promptly report security, safety, and patient-care concerns. The role requires recognizing medical distress, following emergency and infection-control procedures, and assisting during emergencies within the employee’s training and assigned responsibilities. Work is performed in an office and clinical setting, with possible exposure to chemicals and frequent interruptions. The employee must be able to work the assigned shift, with additional hours potentially required on short notice.

Requirements

Graduate of a diploma school of nursing approved by the State Board of Nurse Examiners.
Licensed to practice as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Pennsylvania.
Current BLS Healthcare Provider card.
Great attention to detail.
Ability to type and use computers efficiently.
Ability to apply grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules appropriately.
Ability to prioritize activities, organize work, and solve problems.
Above-average to excellent verbal and written communication skills, including communication with the public by telephone and in person.
Ability to deal with anxious and angry people.
Ability to communicate respectfully and tactfully with administrative staff, managers, attorneys, physicians, and hospital staff.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative, work with minimal direction and assistance, and multitask amid frequent interruptions.
Ability to manage multiple priorities under stress and adapt positively and professionally to changing situations.
Ability to bend, stoop, lift, twist, and maneuver as needed for patient evaluations.
Ability to meet the stated physical demands: medium work; lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, or up to 10 pounds constantly; and the described requirements for stooping, reaching, handling, fingering, feeling, talking, hearing, near acuity, accommodation, and color vision.
Ability to comply with correctional facility security policies and maintain professional boundaries with incarcerated individuals.
Ability to follow emergency, infection-control, PPE, exposure, and hazardous-material protocols and provide first aid or CPR within current training and certification.

Responsibilities

Prepare patients for provider visits by gathering visit reasons, medical and social histories, symptoms, problems, measurements, vital signs, medication lists, and allergy information.
Administer medications and vaccinations in accordance with applicable Nurse Practice Acts and provider orders.
Review and update medication lists, identifying possible ineffective therapies, adverse reactions, side effects, allergies, and contraindications.
Assist physicians with procedures, including bedside minimally invasive surgical procedures, as requested.
Notify providers of testing results; collect specimens and perform limited on-site laboratory tests as ordered.
Maintain equipment and controls, including refrigerator temperatures where applicable, and ensure patient and equipment safety.
Communicate effectively with incarcerated individuals, physicians, peers, and other health team members to support successful outcomes.
Provide patient education and assist with smooth patient flow.
Maintain communication with providers and coworkers.
Ensure medical supplies and medications are adequately stocked and maintained.
Sterilize instruments and instrument packs when applicable.
Maintain pharmaceutical inventory, rotate stock so older items are used first, and check expiration dates monthly.
Complete nursing documentation in medical records, including vaccine and sample lot numbers.
Perform administrative duties, maintain exam rooms and workstations, and keep them clean.
Organize nursing information and documentation and ensure documents are available when needed.
Schedule patient tests and procedures as appropriate.
Maintain medical information and perform filing and scanning using Meditech, Medisoft, and Medisoft Clinical EMR.
Follow the appropriate chain of command when reporting grievances, patient complaints, staff issues, and other concerns.
Demonstrate knowledge of emergency procedures and respond to medical distress according to facility protocols and training.
Comply with correctional facility security policies, including identification, access control, movement restrictions, contraband prevention, and clinic access procedures.
Coordinate with correctional officers regarding patient movement, escorts, and security-related needs.
Maintain awareness of the secure environment and report suspicious activity, threats, contraband, and safety concerns.
Follow procedures for handling sharps, medical equipment, specimens, and hazardous materials; follow infection-control, PPE, and exposure protocols.
Maintain professional boundaries with incarcerated individuals and avoid unauthorized communication, personal relationships, or preferential treatment.
Report injuries, workplace incidents, security breaches, and suspected abuse or neglect through established channels.
Participate in required safety training, emergency drills, and infection-prevention education.
Recognize and promptly report signs of medical distress or changes in patient condition; activate the facility emergency response process and summon clinical and correctional personnel when necessary.
Provide basic first aid or CPR within current training and certification, maintain required emergency response certifications as applicable, and assist clinical personnel during emergencies as directed.
Work assigned shifts and accommodate additional hours when needed on short notice.
Perform other duties as assigned.