Licensed Practical Nurse - Hidalgo County

Essential duties and responsibilities of this position are described below and are subject to change by management, as may be necessitated by changes in business needs, contract requirements, accommodation requests, or other reasons.

Position Overview

Provide holistic nursing care within the appropriate scope of practice to incarcerated patients. Work under the direction of registered nurses, medical and psychiatric staff to respond to a range of physical and mental health needs.

Education/Credentials/Experience

• Must hold valid LPN license in applicable state
• Must show current tuberculosis documentation and active CPR certification
• One year of work experience as a LPN preferred
• Experience in a correctional environment preferred

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Observe, and record symptoms, reactions, and patient progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications and prescribed treatments; complete admissions and discharges, and promote rehabilitation
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team, ensuring patient continuity of care by following individualized treatment plans.
• Communicate with team members individually, at team meetings, and with written documentation as needed
• Provide direct patient care to include gathering vital signs, subjective and objective information, laboratory, EKG, and other diagnostic tests, perform basic hygiene care, and ordered treatments, and administer ordered non-intravenous medications
• Monitor and document medication administration and treatment implementation as directed. Maintain accountability of all controlled substances according to federal and state regulations. Promote preventive and health maintenance care, including positive health behaviors and self-care skills through education and counseling
• Recognize signs and symptoms of medical or mental health care needs warranting additional professional expertise and report to appropriate member of the team
• Participate in the monitoring, requisition, and documentation of the use of medical supplies and equipment
• Document relevant data in the approved format and report to appropriate members of the multidisciplinary team
• Identify and maintain professional boundaries to preserve the integrity of the therapeutic process and relationship
• Proactive in performance improvement activities as demonstrated by participating in the Company's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQl) program (peer review; record reviews; membership on the CQI committee) and modifying clinical practices based on CQl recommendations
• Ensure compliance with all facility and Company policies, Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines including HIPAA
• Coordinate care closely with security staff while maintaining a positive, collaborative relationship
• Maintain ethical commitment to ensure confidentiality within the limits of a correctional environment
• Deliver care in a nonjudgmental/nondiscriminatory manner to protect the autonomy, dignity, and rights of patients
• Understand and comply with safety and security rules and regulations of the institution
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Core Competencies

• Problem Solver: Acts collaboratively in resolving problems. Ability to present solutions rather than just identifying problems. Acknowledges when one does not know something and is willing to take personal responsibility for finding a solution.
• Team Builder: Works well with others and helps build a cohesive working environment. Helps others learn and shares knowledge. Respects diversity of the workplace and individuals unique characteristics.
• Communicator: Able to appropriately express observations and assessment in written and verbal forms. Clear and articulate when speaking with patients or colleagues use audience-appropriate language. Listens to others.
• Effective Time Management: Organizes and prioritizes work by devoting adequate time and attention to individual tasks. Effectively plans meetings/keep appointments and multitask effectively.
• Attention to Detail: Able to provide accurate and consistent work on a timely basis. Documents important details to ensure miscommunications are minimized.
• Reliable: Shows commitment/dedication and accountability for work product, and follows through on projects and goals.
• Stress Tolerance: Must be able to effectively handle stressful or adverse situations and work effectively under difficult conditions. Ability to remain calm while handling volatile, threatening, or emergency situations. Remains focused in spite of distractions and interruptions.
• Clinical Acumen: Practice nursing reflectively, guided by theory, based on best evidence, and integrating creative and critical thinking. Manage care to achieve quality, cost-effective, and ethical outcomes in the delivery of health care to individual patients and the institution's population

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Work is usually performed in a clinical setting
• Must possess general good health and retain sufficient stamina, agility, and visual and auditory acuity necessary to perform all duties required. Physical activity includes walking, climbing, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, and carrying; repetitive physical activity; repetitive mental activity such as checking entries in a report, etc.
• Must be able to lift, carry, or push weight up to 40 pounds; which may include patients, medicine carts, etc.
• Must be able to respond quickly to emergency situations within his/her scope of practice
• May be required to work throughout a large facility, grouping of facilities, or travel between multiple facilities
• Potential exposure to internal and external hazardous materials, including but not limited to: blood and bloodborne pathogens, infectious/communicable diseases, and physical injury from patients

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) occupying this position. Employee(s) may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.

Must be able to pass background investigation and obtain agency security clearance where applicable