Nurse (Multi-Correctional Facility)

State of Connecticut•Bridgeport, CT

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), is seeking highly motivated individuals to deliver care for our inmate population and assist them in their rehabilitation. This role involves practicing nursing and delivering patient care within the unique and distinct environment of the criminal justice system. Correctional nursing practice is focused on independent practice and autonomy. Nurses will apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate a full range of health conditions and determine the urgency and priority of care delivery. The DOC offers comprehensive orientation and in-service programs to equip nurses with the knowledge and confidence to practice effectively in a correctional environment.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited nursing program.
Current license or temporary permit as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
Knowledge of and ability to apply professional nursing theory, practice and ethics.
Knowledge of current medications, their actions, interactions, uses and side effects.
Knowledge of medical, therapeutic and psychiatric nursing interventions and methods.
Ability to apply quality standards, procedures and protocols.
Sensitivity to cultural and socio-economic differences.
Knowledge of teaching, counseling and evaluation principles and techniques.
Interpersonal skills.
Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to act as a role model to health care staff by demonstrating and teaching professional behaviors.
Ability to learn specialized inmate care applicable to work assignment.
Ability to listen and provide empathetic assistance to inmates in meeting their needs and carrying out prescribed treatments.
Ability to develop therapeutic relationships with inmates and their caregivers.
Ability to respond to emergencies.
Ability to respond to and seek supervision.
Ability to encourage and facilitate cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity to foster commitment and teamwork.
Ability to analyze and evaluate proper care and treatment.
Ability to interview.
Ability to develop curricula.
Possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility, and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties of the class.
Pass a physical examination.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with adolescents or in women's health or mental health care.
Fluency in a foreign language or proficiency in the use of American Sign Language in certain designated positions.
Possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
Travel may be required.

Responsibilities

Independently assess patients, develop a nursing diagnosis, develop and implement a treatment plan, and provide patient education and self-care through the nursing sick call process.
Perform health screenings and make triage decisions contributing to the health and safety of patients.
Collaborate with multiple disciplines: custody, medical, mental health, dental, and other health care support professionals.
Play a key role in the identification, treatment, and control of the transmission of infections.
Provide nursing care to special populations such as women's health, juvenile health, end-of-life care, mental health, and infirmary care.
Participate in a multidisciplinary team in providing chronic disease management by coordinating and managing chronic disease care.
Advance quality, patient safety, and a culture of safety by volunteering as a nurse educator, preceptor; participate in facility-based quality and best practices committees.
Respond and participate in emergency care delivery.
Perform related duties as required.
Independently implements nursing process with inmates including carrying out physicians’ orders regarding diet, medication and treatment.
Performs assessments; Changes dressings; Monitors and ensures quality care through observation and evaluation; Reports on physiological and mental health status of inmates; Documents nursing interventions on medical records.
Distributes and maintains records of controlled drugs and ensures their security; Maintains records and makes reports; Makes decisions in routine cases.
Instructs inmates and staff regarding treatments, nursing plans and related inmate care issues directed towards an awareness and understanding of health/mental health issues.
Responds to emergencies; Maintains availability of medications and supplies; Ensures cleanliness of equipment and environment.
May provide pre-certification for and coordination of inmates admitted to and discharged from acute care facilities.
May formulate and implement nursing care plans.
May administer routine tests.
May conduct training.
May delegate nursing tasks consistent with established protocols.
May participate in psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation interventions.
May conduct daily sick call.
May physically restrain inmates, quell disturbances and otherwise assist mental health and correctional staff in emergencies.
May provide related medical or mental health specialty services.
Independently implements infection control services with inmates.
Performs infection control assessments.
Provides infection prevention and control education and training to inmates.
Conducts health record chart reviews.
Reviews tracking systems for HIV, TB and other infectious diseases.
Monitors incidences of infections including TB, MRSA and other infectious diseases.
Analyzes trends over time and across system.
Assesses inmates for knowledge of infection control and prevention.
Identifies inmates nearing re-entry date for participation in re-entry infection prevention education programs.
Identifies community-based infection prevention resources.
Develops informational materials about community-based programs and disseminates to re-entry population.
May develop infection prevention curriculum and educational material for inmate education.