LPN - INTAKE COORDINATOR

The GEO Group•Big Spring, TX

About The Position

The Licensed Practical Nurse – Intake Coordinator initiates and provides comprehensive nursing care in a correctional setting while observing and maintaining operational security requirements. The role works collaboratively with intake staff to monitor intake flow, assist with screenings and processing, and help ensure patients are seen by Health Services staff within appropriate timeframes. The coordinator reports on intake processes to Health Services leadership as part of quality assurance and improvement efforts. The position supports clinical screenings and medical-history collection for patients entering the correctional system, when permitted by the client, and refers medical problems to a physician or advanced practice provider for further evaluation. Duties also include assisting with sick calls and minor procedures, implementing provider orders, administering prescribed medications, observing and documenting patient progress, maintaining medication security, and preparing reports. The coordinator handles intake-related laboratory and diagnostic coordination, supports continuity of care, tracks pending orders and results, and escalates abnormal, critical, urgent, or emergent findings in accordance with facility protocols. The role also verifies and maintains complete intake documentation in the electronic health record, tracks incomplete records, assists with reconciliation, and protects the confidentiality of medical information. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
Current, unrestricted Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in the state where the facility is located; a current copy of the license must be kept on file at the facility.
Competence in crisis intervention, medical emergencies, clinical screening, medical nursing care, and psychiatric nursing care.
Ability to work without direct, immediate supervision when performing nursing diagnosis and to provide appropriate follow-through treatment.
Ability to work with computers and software typically used by the department.

Nice To Haves

Two years of direct work experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse is preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with intake staff and monitor intake flow to ensure patients are seen and processed by Health Services staff within appropriate timeframes.
Assist with intake screenings and processing to support timely patient care.
Provide routine reports on intake processes to Health Services leadership for quality assurance and quality improvement.
Complete clinical screenings and collect medical histories for patients entering the correctional system when permitted by the client; refer medical problems to a physician or advanced practice provider for further evaluation.
Assist the physician with sick calls by screening patients and assisting with minor surgical procedures.
Treat patients with problems within professional capabilities and refer other medical problems to the appropriate physician.
Ensure provider orders are implemented and prescribed medications are administered as ordered using the formulary.
Apply knowledge of drugs and therapeutics when administering medication.
Make observation rounds, record progress notes, evaluate and chart patients’ symptoms, reactions, and progress, and report problems to management.
Maintain security while administering medications, remain alert to drug hoarding and trafficking risks, and maintain non-involvement in the security aspects of care.
Destroy and properly dispose of needles and syringes.
Prepare regularly scheduled and special reports as necessary.
Maintain compliance with industry and company accreditation policies.
Coordinate intake-related laboratory duties, including specimen-collection support, requisition completion, lab tracking, follow-up, and escalation of abnormal or critical results to appropriate clinical staff.
Assist with intake-related diagnostic services and continuity of care, including EKGs, imaging, and other ordered studies; obtain and route results for provider review and document them in the health record.
Review intake records for pending laboratory or diagnostic orders and communicate outstanding results, referrals, or required follow-up to appropriate clinical staff.
Identify urgent or emergent findings during intake screening or follow-up and immediately escalate concerns to the RN, provider, Health Services Administrator or designee, custody as appropriate, and emergency medical services/911 in accordance with facility protocol.
Verify and maintain accurate, complete intake medical records, including required forms, screenings, consents, medication history, allergies, vital signs, provider orders, and follow-up documentation in the electronic health record.
Track incomplete intake documentation, communicate deficiencies, assist with record reconciliation, and maintain confidentiality of protected health information and medical records in accordance with company policy and applicable regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned.