Detention Nurse Specialist I (#PD5 )

$63.29-$68.48 hourly / $10,970.06-$11,869.64 monthly / $131,643.20-$142,438.40 yearly

Detention Nurse Specialist II (#PD6 )

$63.63-$80.50 hourly / $11,028.99-$13,953.06 monthly / $132,350.40-$167,440.00 yearly

• Assess medical and mental health conditions and need for treatment of incoming inmates and refer inmates with critical medical/psychiatric conditions which cannot be managed in the facility to emergency medical or psychiatric facilities;
• Take medical histories, screen for potential medical and emotional problems, assess physical and mental status and assist in determining inmate housing assignments;
• Respond to emergencies, administer first aid, CPR and other appropriate emergency measures;
• Coordinate with staff going off or coming on shift to obtain/provide medical status of inmates and continuity of care. Assess outpatient housing admissions and discharges;
• Receive and triage requests for medical and mental health care, evaluate complaints, examine inmates and determine medical needs;
• Record, interpret and report conditions requiring further treatment;
• Make referrals to County physician, psychiatrist or mid-level practitioner as required;
• Administer prescribed medications in accordance with physician's or mid-level practitioner's orders, established protocols and standard procedures;
• Administer over the counter medications based on independent evaluation of inmate need;
• Following standardized procedures, note and act upon physician's or mid-level practitioner's orders;
• Change bandages, apply dressings and provide other routine treatment;
• Take measures necessary to control communicable disease;
• Perform venipuncture to obtain blood samples;
• Obtain urine and other routine lab test samples;
• Assist in performing routine physical examinations;
• Check and monitor inmates housed in the outpatient housing unit, take vital signs, conduct neurological checks, and note and assess physical and mental condition;
• Provide information on health maintenance and disease control to inmates;
• Establish and maintain medical records and care pathways;
• Maintain logs of services and medications, inventory controlled substances, medicines and other supplies;
• Observe and document effects of medication;
• Order and pick up medical and other supplies;
• Write reports;
• May assist in training new employees;
• May serve as a team leader as assigned, and keep others informed about the more severe medical conditions and problems during the shift.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge:

Detention Nurse Specialist I
Some knowledge of:

• Professional registered nursing techniques, practices, procedures, and regulations.
• Routine medical/psychological assessment techniques.
• Administering medications and treatment.
• The uses, effects and adverse reactions to medications and controlled substances.
• Universal precautions consistent with infectious disease control.
• Medical terminology, instruments and equipment.
• Emergency response practices and procedures.
• Accurate charting and medical record keeping practices.
• Interviewing techniques.
• The laws governing registered nursing practice.

Detention Nurse Specialist II
Thorough knowledge of the above.

Ability to:

Incumbents in any position in the series of Detention Nurse Specialist I and II are to have the following abilities:

• Assess physical/psychological condition and interview inmates to obtain medical histories.
• Deal effectively with manipulative, hostile and antisocial behaviors.
• Respond effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Act as a team leader, assure that shift is fully staffed and kept informed of medical conditions on shift.
• Work in an institutional setting and learn and apply institutional rules, policies and regulations.
• Explain medical procedures, treatments and medications to inmates.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Maintain accurate and well documented inmate medical records and write routine reports.
• Maintain confidentiality of medical information medical records Criminal Justice information.
• Make effective, reasonable and responsible decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action.
• Deal firmly and fairly with inmates and demonstrate tact and diplomacy.
• Identify alcohol, drug and street drug related symptoms and behaviors.
• Apply first aid and CPR which requires stamina and coordination.
• Push heavy objects such as med carts, or an occupied wheelchair.
• Rapidly move to and respond to an emergency medical situation.
• Distinguish colors of uniforms and armbands to identify inmate access to restricted areas.
• Distinguish verbal and nonverbal sounds in a noisy environment.
• Stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Lift objects weighing up to 16 pounds, such as an emergency bag, portable oxygen tank, and medical cardex files.
• Apply universal precautions to prevent transmission of communicable disease to self or others.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Detention Nurse Specialist I – No prior nursing experience required.
• Detention Nurse Specialist II – Four years of registered nursing experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Two years of Licensed Vocational Nurse experience in a detention facility may be substituted for each year of required nursing experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions:
License/Certificate/Registration:

• Possession of a current CPR certificate.
• Possess and maintain a California class C driver license from the start of employment.
• Detention Nurse Specialist I - Possess and maintain a license/permit issued by the State of California to practice nursing, or possession of a provisional license issued by the State of California to practice nursing.
• Detention Nurse Specialist II - Possess and maintain a valid Registered Nurse License issued by the State of California.

Background Investigation: Fingerprinting and a background investigation are required.

Must be physically and mentally capable of performing the classification's essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks section of this job specification.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to odors such as vomitus, feces, urine and draining abscesses; fumes from cleaning supplies and solvents; noise such as shouting inmates and constant radio communications; hostile individuals; and infections which might cause chronic disease or death.

Other Special Requirements: Incumbents work shift schedules involving night, weekend and holiday work in a 24-hour, seven day a week operation. Candidates working in juvenile detention facilities are subject to the State of California Board of State and Community Corrections Title 15 – Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities and must pass a pre-employment medical evaluation and physical examination that meet the requirements of Title 15, Article 3.


PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: Detention Registered Nurse

EST: 3/87 REV: 5/19, 5/05, 11/03, 11/95, 3/93 Analyst: CB, LM, GLD