Nurse Practitioner

The Newport News Sheriff’s Office has an immediate opening for a full-time Nurse Practitioner. The Sheriff’s office operates two facilities housing over 500 inmates.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Nurse Practitioner provides comprehensive, professional medical care and medication management to inmates detained in the Newport News City Jail and Annex. Reports to the Assistant Chief Deputy or the Chief Deputy. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

· Provides a variety of professional medical services to inmates including administering examinations, assessing patients, diagnosing medical concerns, prescribing medications, and providing treatment and follow-up care

· Monitors and reviews operations and standards of care delivered to inmates

· Ensures compliance with ACA, NCCHC, VLEPSC, PREA, and DOC standards including Newport News Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures 

· Assists with emergency care and responses as needed

· Reports to the facility to examine referred patients

· Demonstrates a positive attitude and progressive actions through the display of professionalism, courtesy, and appropriate tact and discretion in all interactions

· Assures implementation and ongoing supervision of on-site chronic clinic

· Consults with medical providers in the community to resolve issues in delivering services to inmates

· Supervises the clinical services provided by the professional and paraprofessional staff

· Annually reviews and approves clinical protocols, clinical policies and procedures, and medical disaster plan

· Serves as liaison for clinical matters with medical providers outside the system and is available to provide on-call services

· Oversees the on-site quality assurance program, including infections control and review and action on inmate complaints

· Attends meetings as requested. 

• Monitors referrals to outside health care facilities for appropriateness, quality, and continuity of care
• Monitors non-formulary medication utilization at the facility
• Is available for the resolution of administrative/medical issues.
• Assists in screening, interviewing and evaluating credentials of health care providers
• As directed, visits the segregation cells and records encounters in inmate’s progress note
• Ensures all physician documentation is dated, timed, legible, problem-oriented, and signed
• Ensures all verbal or telephone orders are countersigned within seventy-two (72) hours
• Utilizes available in-house resources personnel for treatment or resolution of identified problems before utilizing off-site referral
• Provides emergency treatment on-site and responds appropriately in an urgent or emergency situations
• Maintains proper certification for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Assumes responsibility and accountability for his/her individual judgments and actions      
• Utilizes universal precautions for diagnostic or routine studies
• Keeps patient information confidential and respects patient’s rights incarcerated individual
• Abides by the security regulations of the facility
• Assists in arrangement for coverage of medical services 
• Be dependable and meet acceptable attendance requirements at all times
• Protects confidential information by preventing unauthorized release, both verbal and/or writing
• Disseminates information as it is given by the Department’s Administration
• Performs tests and exams as needed
• Follows and enforces security regulations for keys, sharps, and controlled medications
• Reviews sharp inventory off-site specialty form 
• Reviews all medical logs to ensure completeness
• Meets with all medical staff as needed.
• Adheres to all policies, procedures, guidelines, and directives of the office on an ongoing basis
• Follows all Federal, State, and Local laws

Performs other duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE STANDARD

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the organization through work behaviors demonstrating the Sheriff’s Office Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

 Healthcare – Knowledge of medical standards and regulations.

Knowledge of basic physician principles, standards, practices, and techniques including basic body systems/functions and related medical assessment techniques. Knowledge of medications, their uses, and potential adverse effects, including narcotics, mood altering, and behavior control drugs. Knowledge of local healthcare facilities and resources, including but not limited to local hospitals, mental health agencies, and private physicians. 

·Supervision – Knowledge of leadership techniques, principles and procedures to assign work, schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.

REQUIRED SKILLS

·Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to the situation.

·Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, managers, and representatives from other departments and organizations.

·Time Management - Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology to meet strict deadlines.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

 Medical Knowledge – Ability to recognize, assess, and apply basic practical medical techniques and procedures to respond to medical complaints and critical medical situations in accordance with recognized policies. Utilizes medical reference books and manuals to research medication and treatment protocol as needed.

·Coordination of Work – Ability to establish and implement effective administrative programs and procedures. Ability to plan and organize daily work routine. Establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Performs a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.

·Communication – Excellent ability to communicate complex ideas and medical protocol effectively so others will understand to include preparation of reports, medical records, and policies. Ability to handle a variety of medical issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Certified as a Nurse Practitioner in the State of Virginia.

Experience in a correctional and/or psychiatric environment preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Acceptable comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state, and sex offender criminal history check as well as FBI Fingerprinting; a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

This position requires pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

·Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort.

·Some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling.

· Some lifting to include overhead lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (10-20 pounds).

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

 Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals.

 Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as odors, hazardous materials, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate patients.