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Public Health Nurse I (Prison)

EXEMPT: No
DEPARTMENT: Health Department
UNION: 06
UPDATE: 01/12/1998

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Reads logbook upon reporting to duty and follows Supervisor’s directions for any special duty assignments.
• Conducts sick call and screening of inmates as scheduled and as prioritized.
• Responds to medical emergency and coordinates with security, on-call physician, ambulance and hospital for any inmate requiring treatment outside the facility.
• Administers medications as assigned as well as PRN medications. Records medications given and reorders from pharmacy as needed.
• Contacts on call prison physician as needed for any medical problems.
• Orders any emergency medications or supplies as needed.
• Restocks utility cabinets and maintains a clean and orderly appearance of dispensary.
• Assists with training of any new agency or staff nurses as directed.
• Refers to supervisor for assistance in resolving any issue not covered under standard protocol.
• Notes any unusual events or follow-up care needed in nurses' logbook to promote continuity of care.
• Responsible for recording and accountability of all controlled medications and sharps used during the shift and conducting count with oncoming shift.
• Conducts monthly quality improvement audit on all assigned charts.
• Conducts screening of new inmates with immediate medical problems.
• Responsibility for all basic nursing duties.
• Any job related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Minimum experience and training - BSN from a baccalaureate program accredited by the National League for Nursing; or one year public health nursing experience and graduation from a state approved school of professional nursing; or three (3) years of recent nursing experience in a healthcare setting where the nursing process of assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of individuals and/or families was practiced on a regular basis; or any equivalent combination of experience and or training.
• Necessary Special Requirement - Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners or eligibility for such license.
• Ability to plan and coordinate the activities of non-professional nursing personnel.
• Ability to recognize patterns and trends in the health care delivery system.
• Ability to acquire new knowledge, skills and techniques required to remain current in public health nursing practice.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective communications with individuals, families and other members of healthcare system.
• Ability to provide guidance to individuals and families in health and maintenance.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing as well as to give, understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to instruct and direct non-professional nursing personnel in the care and treatment of individuals.
• Ability to identify actual or potential health and safety hazards.
• Ability to recognize the limitations of one's capabilities and to seek help and/or guidance when necessary.
• Ability to learn the purpose and functions of other health care and social organizations in the community.
• Ability to secure appropriate transportation in order to travel to distant places to render professional nursing services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and talk and hear. The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. on a frequent/regular basis and occasionally lift and/or move than 100 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to cleaning chemicals, pathenogenic organisms and hazardous materials. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.