RN Nurse Manager - Correctional Facility

NURSING ASSESSMENT AND CLINICAL CARE

• Conduct and document nursing assessments in accordance with professional standards, clinical protocols, and facility policies.
• Perform health screenings and nursing evaluations for newly admitted incarcerated individuals, including identification of urgent medical needs, chronic conditions, medication requirements, and other health concerns.
• Assess patients presenting with illness, injury, pain, or other medical complaints and determine the appropriate level and urgency of clinical intervention.
• Monitor patients for changes in condition and initiate appropriate nursing interventions within the RN's scope of practice.
• Notify physicians, advanced practice providers, and other appropriate healthcare personnel of significant clinical findings and changes in patient status.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing care plans as appropriate to patient needs and organizational protocols.
• Provide nursing care for patients with acute and chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disorders, infectious diseases, and other ongoing medical needs.
• Perform and supervise nursing treatments, wound care, specimen collection, and other clinical procedures within the RN's scope of practice.
• Support preventive healthcare services, including immunizations, health screenings, patient education, and chronic disease monitoring.
• Coordinate referrals, diagnostic testing, specialty consultations, outside medical appointments, and follow-up care.
• Assist with discharge planning, interfacility transfers, and continuity of care when individuals are transferred, released, or otherwise leave the facility.

MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

• Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with provider orders, applicable regulations, and facility policies.
• Oversee medication administration processes as assigned, including medication reconciliation, medication records, and monitoring for adverse reactions.
• Verify medication orders, patient identity, allergies, and other required safety information before administration.
• Monitor patients for therapeutic response, side effects, medication intolerance, and potential complications.
• Identify, document, and report medication discrepancies, errors, adverse reactions, and suspected diversion.
• Coordinate medication refills, pharmacy services, and continuity of prescribed treatment.
• Maintain appropriate security, storage, handling, and accountability of medications, including controlled substances.
• Provide medication education within the RN's role and reinforce adherence to prescribed treatment plans.
• Collaborate with prescribers and pharmacy personnel regarding medication-related concerns.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CRITICAL CARE COORDINATION

• Recognize and respond promptly to medical emergencies, including chest pain, respiratory distress, seizures, severe injuries, altered mental status, and other potentially life-threatening conditions.
• Initiate appropriate emergency nursing interventions within the RN's training and scope of practice.
• Activate emergency response procedures and coordinate with correctional officers, emergency medical services, and receiving healthcare facilities as necessary.
• Maintain current CPR/BLS certification and any additional emergency certifications required by the employer.
• Participate in emergency drills and maintain familiarity with emergency equipment, supplies, and response protocols.
• Document emergency assessments, interventions, communications, and patient outcomes.
• Ensure timely escalation of urgent clinical concerns and appropriate transfer for a higher level of care when indicated.

BEHAVORIAL HEALTH AND SPECIAL PATIENT POPULATIONS

• Recognize signs of acute psychological distress, suicidal ideation, self-harm risk, intoxication, withdrawal, and other conditions requiring immediate clinical evaluation.
• Initiate facility protocols and promptly notify appropriate clinical and correctional personnel when a patient may be at risk of harm.
• Monitor patients receiving observation or treatment for withdrawal, behavioral health concerns, or other conditions requiring enhanced clinical oversight, as assigned and consistent with established protocols.
• Collaborate with behavioral health professionals and medical providers regarding treatment and monitoring plans.
• Maintain a therapeutic, nonjudgmental approach when caring for individuals with complex medical, behavioral, or psychosocial needs.
• Follow applicable procedures for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other patient safety concerns.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITY SECURITY AND SAFETY

• Comply with all facility security policies, including access control, staff identification, patient movement, contraband prevention, and emergency procedures.
• Coordinate with correctional officers regarding clinic access, patient escorts, medical appointments, and security support during clinical encounters.
• Maintain awareness of the correctional environment and report potential threats, unsafe conditions, or security concerns promptly.
• Ensure appropriate security and accountability of medications, sharps, clinical equipment, and medical supplies.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and avoid unauthorized relationships, communications, or preferential treatment involving incarcerated individuals.
• Balance clinical responsibilities with established security requirements while advocating for timely access to medically necessary care.
• Participate in required security orientation, safety training, and emergency preparedness activities.

DOCUMENTATION AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and objective nursing documentation in the electronic health record or designated medical record system.
• Document nursing assessments, interventions, medication administration, patient responses, provider notifications, and follow-up activities.
• Complete incident reports and other required documentation in accordance with organizational policies.
• Protect confidential patient information in accordance with HIPAA, applicable privacy laws, and facility policies.
• Comply with applicable state nursing regulations, professional standards, correctional healthcare requirements, and organizational policies.
• Participate in quality assurance activities, clinical audits, infection prevention initiatives, and performance improvement programs.
• Identify and report potential patient safety risks, documentation deficiencies, and opportunities to improve clinical care.

COORDINATION, LEADERSHIP, COMMUNICATION

• Collaborate with physicians, advanced practice providers, licensed practical nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health personnel, correctional officers, and external healthcare providers.
• Communicate patient care needs, changes in clinical status, and pending follow-up requirements during shift handoffs and care transitions.
• Provide clinical guidance and direction to other nursing personnel and support staff when assigned and appropriate.
• Assist with orientation, training, and competency development of nursing and support staff as delegated.
• Participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and multidisciplinary care planning.
• Escalate staffing, supply, workflow, and patient safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, consistent with licensure, competency, facility policy, and applicable law.

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.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

Education- BS required.

Current PA RN License.

Current certifications in BLS/PALS/ACLS.

Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment.

Must be able to work in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment and take appropriate actions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous nursing experience in a correctional facility, emergency department, hospital, urgent care, behavioral health, or other acute or ambulatory healthcare setting.
• Experience with medication management, chronic disease care, triage, emergency response, and care coordination.
• Familiarity with correctional healthcare operations, infection prevention, and patient safety procedures in secure environments.
• Experience providing clinical guidance to LPNs, medical assistants, or other support personnel.

 WORKING CONDITIONS

Patient care environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, and temperature changes. A large part of work time is standing and walking. Subject to certain distasteful patient care activities and exposure to communicable diseases. May be exposed to potential hazards such as chemical wastes, body wastes, fluids and other possible infectious material.

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.