Washington County is currently hiring for a Registered Nurse. The Correctional Health Nurse is part of a professional Nursing Team responsible for the delivery of on-site health care services and for the management of health care services provided by external partners for Inmates of the Washington County Jail.
Washington County Public Health & Environment values your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. We are committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment and believe diversity benefits and enriches our programs, our staff and communities we serve. Click here to learn about the top 10 reasons to work as Registered Nurse in Washington county.
A typical shift for a Correctional Health Nurses includes the following:
- Provides health services in the on-site medical clinic and responds to sick call requests. Average census of 20 inmates per day (35%)
- Medication management (10%)
- Collaborates with external health care partners to provide inmate health services (20%)
- Provides Inmates with physical, mental and chemical health screenings/assessments, case management, medical records and health education services (25%)
- Provides emergency response, monitors and manages incidents of communicable diseases, meetings/education (10%)
Correctional Health Nurses work in close partnership with Corrections Officers to ensure that health services are delivered in a safe environment.
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DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE (not required):
Prior work experience in hospital or correctional facility, skilled nursing facility, emergency room, urgent care, or primary care clinic. Public health nurse certification
HOURS / DAYS: 8 hour shifts, primarily evenings with a weekend and holiday rotation subject to change based on County needs.
Anticipated Hiring Rate: $39.45 - $53.86 HourlyA $3,000 hiring incentive is available for this position. This incentive is paid out in two lump sums, minus any applicable taxes. This incentive will be paid out in two equal lump sums of $1,500 at the end of 3 months and 12 months upon successful completion of probationary period.PUBLIC SAFETY RETENTION PAYMENTS: To be eligible for $1,250 Public Safety retention payment, must be employed in the Correctional Health Unit for a least 6 months in 2025 and employed on November 25, 2025.
SELECTION TECHNIQUE: Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top-scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.
E-Verify Participation: Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Washington County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.E- Verify Participation Poster (PDF)Right to work Poster (PDF)The Correctional Health Nurse provides nursing services, assessments and education to inmates of the Washington County Correctional Facility. In addition, their role includes a strong collaborative relationship with external health care providers who deliver services to inmates. The Correctional Health Nurse monitors the inmate population for communicable diseases and takes appropriate actions to reduce risk and responds to emergency situations as requested. Conducts nursing triage by performing preliminary assessments of Inmate medical needs in order to determine the urgency of the need for treatment and the nature of the treatment required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires the completion of a professional nursing program, unrestricted registration as a professional nurse in the State of Minnesota at time of employment, current Health Care Provider Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification (or ability to be certified prior to start of employment) and one year of nursing experience or equivalent, including student clinical rotations and internships.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Prior work experience in triage, primary care clinics, emergency room, hospital setting or correctional health facility is desired; public health nurse certification.
CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE
Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job.
- Support and prioritize a welcoming and respectful workplace that fosters diversity and encourages contributions from all individuals;
- Provide inclusive and equitable service to all members of the community with dignity and respect;
- Demonstrate support for the County’s diversity, equity and inclusion program;;
- Demonstrates knowledge of nursing practices, practice of triage, nursing assessment, skilled nursing tasks, use of diagnostic instruments and apply independent nursing judgment;
- Demonstrates a strong ability to make accurate and safe assessments of medical situations;
- Demonstrates skills in assessing and creating care plans for inmate health care needs;
- Demonstrates efficiency using electronic medical records;
- Demonstrates ability to use general office equipment and standard office software.
- Demonstrates ability to work with physicians, correctional nursing staff members, representatives of other agencies and correctional facility personnel;
- Demonstrates ability to act as part of a medical team; and
- Demonstrates ability to handle difficult and behaviorally challenged persons and remain calm in tense or potentially threatening situations.
Provide clinical services and healthcare management services to inmates:
- Review intake health questionnaires on newly incarcerated inmates;
- Review inmate medical requests slips daily;
- Identify potential health issues and facilitates medical screening;
- Perform inmate assessment and treatment at sick call as required;
- Review and assess prescribed medications brought in by inmates;
- Collaborate with primary care providers and other health care providers to ensure continuity, timeliness and appropriateness of care to inmates;
- Arrange for additional health care, including appointments for dental, medical, psychological, laboratory and other treatment modes;
- Check and record vital signs; obtains specimens from inmate patients for diagnostic testing;
- Coordinate and administer medication and treatment to inmates;
- Report treatment and medication reactions;
- Monitor changes in the inmate emotional or physical conditions;
- Institute communicable disease screening measures as directed;
- Report suspected communicable diseases and arrange for inmate isolation;
- Assist physicians, dentists or other medical personnel with treatment;
- Prepare medication carts for correctional officer distribution to inmates;
- Educate inmates and correctional staff regarding medication side effects or symptoms;
- Maintain all medical records related to health and medical screening and medical treatment administered to inmates while incarcerated;
- Record all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms; and
- Provide inmate patient education and/or discharge planning;
- Participate in unit and Public Health department-wide meetings and trainings;
- Successfully complete yearly competency and mandatory training;
- Respond to and provide prompt assessment and care in emergency situations.
Promote an environment that ensures inmates are treated in a professional, ethical and tactful manner.
Performs other position-related duties as assigned
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work performed is semi-sedentary in nature, and is performed within a correctional facility. Lifting requirement of up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, medical equipment, medical testing equipment, computer, calculator, telephone, camera, radio and copy and fax machine.
Work interruptions are frequent. There is some pressure associated with dealing with individuals who may be emotionally charged and with project or activity deadlines and details. Driving or riding to work at a service center, attend meetings, participate in or lead training sessions, etc. may be required.
Exposures may include, but are not limited to, environmental conditions disagreeable odors, elevated noise levels, communicable diseases, body fluids and work with persons with behavioral and mental challenges. This position may also encounter threatening or hostile situations and persons with severe behavioral challenges. This position is required to follow security rules and procedures. Work is performed on day and evening shifts and on weekends and holidays; work is often performed alone but with security provided by correctional staff.
Additional physical/mental requirements that occur may not be listed above, but are inherent in performing the position's essential functions.
This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.
