LICENSED PRACT NURSE Correctional Facility

 

SUMMARY

Provides nursing services to incarcerated individuals, assists physicians and mid-level practitioners (providers) with patient care in conformance with the Licensed Practical Nurse Act.

To perform all clinical functions in a county jail facility. Assisting the physician with treatments, obtain specimens from patients and process properly, maintaining medical information and filing/scanning, ordering and maintaining clinical supplies as needed, patient education, obtaining histories and vitals from patients, telephone answering and appointment scheduling as needed.

JOB DUTIES

Prepares patients for provider visits according to approved policies and procedures i.e. reason for visit, history (past medical, family and social), symptoms, problems, weight, height, vital signs, medications, allergies.

Administers medications/vaccinations to patients as regulated by the Nurse Practice Acts and as ordered by the provider.

Reviews and updates medication lists identifying any possible ineffective drug therapies, adverse reactions, side effects, drug allergies and contraindicated medications.

Assists physicians with procedures as requested.

Notifies provider of testing results.

Collects specimens as directed and performs limited lab tests on site as ordered by the provider.

Maintains equipment and controls including refrigerator temperatures if applicable.

Responsible for patient and equipment safety.

Communicates and interacts effectively incarcerated individuals, physicians, peers and other health team members to maximize successful outcomes. Patient education.

Assists in the facilitation of smooth patient flow.

Maintains good communication with providers and coworkers.

Assures adequate amounts of medical supplies and medications are available and stocked appropriately.

Sterilizes instruments and instrument packs if applicable.

Maintains inventory of pharmaceutical inventory and rotates stock to make sure oldest is used first. Also, checks expiration dates monthly.

Assures nursing documentation in the medical records is complete including lot numbers for vaccines and samples.

Performs administrative duties as requested.

Maintains exam rooms and workstation and ensures cleanliness.

Maintains the organized flow of nursing information and documentation. Documents are organized and available for use when needed.

Schedule tests or procedures for patients as appropriate.

Maintains medical information and filing and or scanning.

Use of Meditech, Medisoft and Medisoft Clinical EMR.

Follows appropriate chain of command for reporting issues such as grievances, patient complaints and staff issues.

Demonstrates knowledge of emergency procedures.

Assists physician with bedside minimally invasive surgical procedures

Other duties as assigned.

 SPECIFIC JOB DEMANDS

Strength: Medium Work - Lifting, Carrying, Pushing, Pulling 20 - 50 Lbs. occasionally, 10 - 25 Lbs. frequently or up to 10 Lbs. constantly.

Stooping: Occasionally - Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Reaching: Frequently - Extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

Handling: Frequently - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Fingers are involved only to the extent that they are an extension of the hand, such as to turn a switch or shift automobile gears.

Fingering: Frequently - Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Feeling: Frequently - Noting attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Talking: Frequently - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word to impart oral information to clients or to the public and to convey detailed spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Hearing: Frequently - Perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Near Acuity: Frequently - Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.

Accommodation: Occasionally - Adjustment of lens of eye to bring an object into sharp focus. This factor is required when doing near point work at varying distances from the eye.

Color Vision: Frequently - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SECURITY AND SAFETY

• Comply with all correctional facility security policies, including staff identification, access control, movement restrictions, and contraband prevention.
• Coordinate with correctional officers regarding patient movement, clinic access, escorts, and other security-related needs.
• Maintain awareness of the secure environment and promptly report suspicious activity, threats, contraband, or safety concerns.
• Follow established procedures for handling sharps, medical equipment, laboratory specimens, and other potentially hazardous materials.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with incarcerated individuals and avoid unauthorized communication, personal relationships, or preferential treatment.
• Follow facility protocols for patient identification, observation, and access to clinical areas.
• Report injuries, workplace incidents, security breaches, and suspected abuse or neglect through established reporting channels.
• Participate in required safety training, emergency drills, and infection prevention education.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PATIENT SAFETY

• Recognize and promptly report signs of medical distress or changes in a patient's condition.
• Activate the facility's emergency response process and summon licensed clinical staff and correctional personnel when necessary.
• Provide basic first aid or CPR within the employee's current training and certification.
• Maintain required emergency response certifications as applicable to the position.
• Follow established protocols for infection control, personal protective equipment, exposure incidents, and hazardous materials.
• Assist clinical personnel during emergencies as directed and within the employee's training and assigned responsibilities.

 

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Graduate of a diploma school of nursing approved by State Board of Nurse Examiners.

Licensed to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Pennsylvania.

Must possess great attention to detail.

Must be able to type and be efficient with computers.

Must have the ability to apply appropriate rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation. Must possess the ability to prioritize activities, organize work and problem solve.

Communications skills both verbal and written must be above average to excellent.

Must be able to communicate with public sector by telephone use and in person. Must be able to deal with anxious and angry people. Must be able to communication with Administrative Staff, Managers, Attorneys, Physicians and all hospital staff with due respect and tact.

Current BLS Healthcare Provider card.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Work setting will be in an office involving the ability to bend, stoop, lift, twist and maneuver as necessary to conduct patient evaluations.

Possible exposure to various chemicals relating to job performance will be in use of equipment and in all clinical/medical procedures which may be performed.

Use of computers, printers, fax machines, copiers, telephone and paper shredders.

Must have ability to exhibit independent judgment skills and show initiative.

Ability to use tact and poise in representing MMC.

Work with minimal direction and assistance and frequent interruptions.

Must be able to multitask.

Must be able to work assigned shift but there maybe times that there will be additional hours that will be needed on short notice.

Ability to manage multiple priorities under stress.

Flexibility to adapt to changing situations in a positive, professional manner.

DISCLOSURE

MMC commits to review, under the intent of this standard, and in coordination with medical professional opinion’s and physical demands job analysis performed by certified professionals, an individual’s ability to be reasonably accommodated within the role they are responsible and qualified to perform.

MMC is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. All employment practices and activities are conducted on a nondiscriminatory basis. Meadville Medical Center will follow any state or local law that provides individuals with disabilities greater protection that the ADA.

Every effort has been made to make your job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific tasks does not exclude them from the position if the task is similar, related, or is a logical assignment to the position, or is imperative for patient care and to meet emergency situations