The Registered Nurse (RN) plans and provides comprehensive nursing care including, but not limited to, executing Licensed Independent Provider s orders, dispensing and administering medications, and assisting Licensed Independent Provider in examinations and treatment of patients. Applies nursing and supervisory techniques required in the care, treatment and referrals of inmates/residents. Performs all technical/clinical procedures within the scope of his/her education and licensure.
• Apply appropriate nursing skills in the area and treatment of inmates/residents.
• Attend sick call with the physician to see inmates/residents; prepare a list of inmates/residents to be examined; prepare examining room and equipment.
• Operate pill call, dispense medication and document as required by applicable policies and/or procedures.
• Call the Licensed Independent Providers for medication and treatment orders, and/or other emergencies.
• Examine and assess new inmates/residents with illnesses or injuries or inmates/residents who become ill or injured; refer inmates/residents to the emergency room or other appropriate healthcare facility as required by their condition.
• Perform emergency procedures as needed and notify Licensed Independent Provider for treatment orders.
• Assist in coordinating professional medical services provided by contract personnel and seeing that their needs are addressed.

• Monitor, as directed, inmate/resident inpatient hospitalizations for early releases whenever appropriate.
• Provide guidance, supervise and and monitor nursing care provided by licensed vocational/practical nursing staff and non-licensed medical staff.
• Maintain a good working relationship with facility staff, nursing staff, contract providers and outside provider agencies.
• Utilize established corporate, facility and correctional policies and procedures in making decisions, but use sound independent judgment in meeting the responsibilities and performing the duties of the position.
• Regularly evaluate the provision of medical services to prevent the inappropriate use, or duplication of those services.
• Maintain absolute security and confidentiality of all medical records.
• Assist Health Service Administrator with the review of medical files to determine all provided services are documented.
• Closely monitor all potential catastrophic illnesses.
• Audit pharmacy use for adherence to formulary, as directed or required.
• Comply with all applicable pharmacy laws, especially those covering controlled substances.
• Observe and record inmate/resident behavior.
• Inspect the medical unit for items that could be used as contraband by inmate/residents; securely store or safely dispose of supplies and equipment.
• Provide health counseling and health education on individual or group basis, as required.
• Assist Health Service Administrator to prepare and maintain a variety of standard narrative, statistical, summary and/or operational records, reports and logs, using appropriate grammar, to include filing, alphabetizing and labeling; properly process all reports and documents in a timely manner.
• Read, analyze, comprehend and interpret medical and technical procedures, governmental regulations, legal and non-legal documents.
• Review, process and respond (via corporate counsel) to lawsuits; attend court hearings, when necessary.
• Evaluate and recommend physical safety requirements necessary to provide a safe working environment.
• Facilitate, where applicable, NCCHC/ACA/JCAHO accreditation of the medical program by providing the required level of efficiency and approved, appropriate medical services.
• Prepare and disseminate safety and accident reports as required by policies and procedures; take appropriate action in cases of serious and unusual incidents and emergencies.
• Escort inmates/residents or coordinate the movement of inmates/residents to and from different areas for medical treatment.
• Perform searches of people and objects capable of concealing contraband, which will involve detecting and identifying objects.
• Engage in functions in confined areas that include such things as working rotating shifts and physically checking the doors, windows and other areas to verify they are secure.
• Take appropriate action to prevent or diffuse potentially disruptive situations.
• Perform rescue functions at accidents, emergencies and disasters to include administering basic emergency medical aid, securing and evacuating people from confined areas.