CDOC Mid-Level Provider/Nurse Practioner or Physician Assistant - (PUEBLO)

State of Colorado • Pueblo, CO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides medical assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for acute, chronic, and emergency care for inmates in the clinical setting, which could include a clinic, an infirmary, or a special needs facility. This position is responsible for performing physical examinations, obtaining detailed histories, assessing and treating medical problems, prescribing medications, conducting sick calls, making rounds in infirmaries, diagnosing and treating medical conditions, ordering diagnostic tests, performing minor medical procedures, providing emergency medical coverage, assessing dental and mental health emergencies, assisting in pre and post-operative care, reviewing offender health records and test results, performing venipuncture, following clinical standards and procedures, providing initial emergency medical treatment for staff, traveling to other facilities during staffing crises, communicating with outside providers and internal peers, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, participating in decision-making committees, assisting in policy development, updating medical holds and housing/work restrictions, providing medical training, educating offenders, and potentially participating in restraining an offender for medical reasons. The position may also involve clinical research.

Requirements

• Current, valid licensure as an Advanced Practice Nurse / Nurse Practitioner from the Colorado Board of Nursing or valid licensure as a Physician Assistant from the Colorado Medical Board
• Willing and able to obtain full prescriptive authority (RXN) as issued by the State of Colorado (DORA) and the DEA, within six (6) months of hire
• Self-control, a strong sense of ability to work in stressful, potentially violent situations
• Ability to remain alert, emotionally stable, and mentally resilient under pressure and observant throughout their shift
• Tolerance to stress, confinement, and high-stakes interaction
• Ability to provide direct patient care to offenders
• Ability to maintain professionalism in a complex environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to read and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively communicate fluently in English both verbally and in writing
• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Must be 21 years of age
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Drivers must maintain a valid, non-restricted Colorado driver license, obey traffic laws, and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Possess a high school diploma or GED
• Have NO felony convictions
• Applicants must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application
• Successfully pass all modules of the 6 week Colorado Department of Corrections Basic Training, to include English reading comprehension, relevant competency assessments and written/practical exams in Defensive Tactics
• Possess the physical ability to successfully complete Defensive Tactics
• Lift arms above head and kick as high as own waist
• Stabilize another person to accomplish a controlled take down
• Use arms, palms of hands, shins, and feet to deliver blows
• Withstand impact (slow speed or with a safety bag) on own body from strikes/blows
• Swing a baton in a striking technique
• Rotate body 90 degrees with feet planted for striking with foot or using a defensive tactic
• Get down on one or both knees and up again with multiple repetitions
• Will be exposed to Oleoresin Capsicum during Basic Training and will be exposed while on assignment
• Must be able to see and hear in order to observe, address and respond to potential breaches in safety and security
• Seize, hold, control or subdue violent or assaultive persons and defend oneself or others to prevent injury
• Demonstrate body agility, strength of all four limbs and the ability to walk and climb stairs consistently
• Work in situations involving assaultive behavior, physical control of another person and/or restraint situations
• Deal with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors, utilizing tactfulness and a congenial, personable manner
• Work with people of the opposite sex, diverse racial ethnic groups, mentally ill and emotionally disturbed offenders
• Communicate by talking, listening and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, assignments
• Work in an environment with fluctuating noise and temperature (hot and cold) which may include working outdoors in inclement weather and/or concrete floor/wall work settings
• Willing and able to travel
• Willing and able to work various shifts, days, afternoons, graveyards (nights) which includes a rotating shift schedule
• TB (tuberculosis) screening is required of all new employees upon hire
• Successful completion of a background investigation is required

Nice To Haves

• Experience providing clinical treatment in a correctional environment
• Experience providing medical care in an infirmary or skilled nursing center
• Experience providing emergency medical coverage performing basic life support and life-saving measures
• Experience providing medical care in a correctional environment
• Experience managing chronic medical conditions as an APN / NP

Responsibilities

• Perform physical examinations and obtain detailed histories on assigned patients
• Assess and treat acute/chronic medical problems and provides direct patient care to a specified patient population
• Prescribe medications from the CDOC formulary using applicable CDOC guidelines and policies
• Conduct sick call, emergency treatment or chronic care clinic as assigned
• Make rounds in an infirmary or skilled nursing care setting
• Diagnose and treat medical conditions and disorders within scope of practice
• Order laboratory tests and other diagnostic testing pertinent to the medical care of offenders
• Perform minor medical procedures such as suturing lacerations, incision and drainage of abscesses, excision of cysts, application of splints and casts, and removal of toenails
• Provide emergency medical coverage to offenders including performing basic life support and lifesaving procedures for emergencies such as cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, massive hemorrhage or similar emergencies or life support measures
• May be required to assess dental and mental health emergencies and refer appropriately
• Assist in pre and post operative care
• Perform offender health record reviews
• Review laboratory, x-ray and EKG results and intervene as medically indicated
• Perform venipuncture and other related laboratory tests
• Follow the CDOC clinical services standards and procedures, protocols, guidelines, or policies pertaining to medical practice and treatment as specified by Clinical Services administration
• May provide initial emergency medical treatment for facility staff
• Travel to other correctional facilities to assist during a staffing crisis
• Communicate with outside providers and internal peers to ensure continuity of care
• Collaborate with other health care professionals, clinical services staff regarding offender health issues/policies, transfers, classifications and medical legal concerns
• Participate in various decision making committees to resolve system issues
• Assist in developing policies, protocols, standards or guidelines
• Identify and update "medical holds" and housing and work restrictions electronically
• Provide formal and informal medical training for co-workers, offender classes, and Training Academy presentations
• Provide offender education during appointments
• Participate in developing educational materials for offenders or health care professionals
• May be required to participate in restraining an offender primarily for medical reasons
• May perform clinical research related to specific operations

Benefits

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Short and long term disability coverage
• Paid life insurance
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Wellness program
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED