Senior Registered Nurse – Correctional Health (PRN)

Parkland Health

About The Position

The Senior Registered Nurse provides care to an assigned patient population in a correctional health setting, following established protocols and a multidisciplinary plan of care. The role uses independent, dependent, and interdependent nursing interventions to restore stability, prevent complications, and achieve and maintain optimal patient responses through patient-centered, patient-valued care. The nurse assesses patients continuously, consults with other team members as needed, exercises independent judgment, and provides education and support to patients and families. The position also contributes to team operations by supporting non-nursing staff, serving as a preceptor or trainer, rotating as Charge Nurse when necessary, and conducting at least one in-service educational program annually. The nurse maintains required licensure and certifications and stays current with developments in nursing practice.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited school of nursing.
At least two years of nursing experience.
Current, valid Texas Board of Nursing RN license or temporary RN license, or a valid Compact RN license.
Current healthcare provider BLS for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or Military Training Network.
Ability to provide care in accordance with the Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, multidisciplinary plans of care, and applicable clinical-area standards.
Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and hospital staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.
May be required to communicate effectively via the overhead paging system.
Ability to provide direction to non-nursing staff, serve as a preceptor, and serve on rotation as a Charge Nurse.
Ability to prepare and conduct in-service educational programs.
Ability to demonstrate patient-centered, patient-valued behaviors.
Knowledge of nursing standards of care for the specialty care area, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care in accordance with the Texas Nurse Practice Act, established protocols, the multidisciplinary plan of care, and applicable clinical-area standards.
Continuously assess patients, consult with team members as required, and exercise independent judgment in providing nursing care.
Advocate for patients by focusing on their needs, rights, confidentiality, and religious and cultural preferences.
Maintain positive working relationships with Parkland customers, employees, and other healthcare team members, and serve as a resource for patients and staff on clinical care issues.
Provide patient-care education and training to patients and family members.
Participate in assigned community outreach activities, which may include health fairs, community collaborations, or outreach clinics.
Maintain knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines governing nursing practice, and support hospital and Parkland compliance.
Maintain knowledge of sanitation, infection control, safety, supplies, equipment, and appropriate use of materials.
Complete appropriate documentation and maintain accurate, timely entries in patient-care records and hospital documents in accordance with department and Parkland standards.
Work with other staff to provide direction to non-nursing staff and participate in information exchanges that support department and Parkland goals.
Seek and use direction from more experienced staff and team members as needed.
Serve as Charge Nurse on rotation when necessary.
Serve as a preceptor or trainer to newer nursing staff members.
Prepare and conduct at least one in-service educational program for the assigned department each year.
Identify work-process improvements and ways to improve patient and customer satisfaction; make recommendations and implement and monitor results as appropriate.
Serve on interdisciplinary committees as assigned.
Stay current with nursing developments, advancements, and trends through seminars or workshops, professional journals, and participation in professional organizations; integrate relevant knowledge into work practices.
Maintain a current Texas Registered Nurse license and any additional required licenses or certifications.