Registered Nurse

This position is eligible for a $3,000 sign-on bonus. Current state employees are not eligible for recruitment payments upon transfer, demotion, or promotion to another agency.

• Coordinate health services for the general patient population to meet applicable policies and standards by:
• Complete health appraisals on admission and periodic health appraisals for both patients and staff according to DOC policy.
• Conduct a health clinic for patients to identify significant medical, mental health and/or dental issues, determine appropriate nursing interventions and make referrals as needed.
• Perform physical examination of all reported patient injuries/illnesses which may also include staff.
• Document required visits to patients in segregated status in a timely manner.
• Maintain DOC electronic medical records consistent with appropriate standards.
• Maintain an ongoing awareness of patients with potential for self-destructive behavior.
• Assess patients to identify appropriate mental health nursing interventions.
• Collaborate with members of an inter-disciplinary health team to plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate patient care.
• Respond to all medical emergencies and provide emergency health care.
• Plan and conduct emergency drills in accordance with institutional procedure.
• Assume primary clinical responsibility for health services to patients during weekend and holiday assignment.
• Complete discharge summaries on patients scheduled to leave.
• Practice nursing following State board practice standards for registered nurse.
• Assist the medical practitioner, dentist, psychiatrist as needed, providing accurate, precise communications, and hands-on delivery.
• Transcribe and note practitioner orders electronically.
• Organize and coordinate services through daily schedules of appointments and clinic visits.
• Complete lab services, including phlebotomy, EKGs as ordered.
• Assist with telemedicine and x-ray services.
• Complete central supply tasks of cleaning, packaging, and sterilizing medical supplies.
• Maintain an institutional health services procedure manual.
• Communicate as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team.
• Work with mental health staff and patients on mental health concerns/issues.
• The staff nurse will ensure proper administration and documentation of medications:
• Ensure proper administration, accountability and documentation of medications.
• Deliver medications to units/segregation as needed.
• Check in daily medication totes from pharmacy, stock medication carts and administer self-administration medications per institutional procedure.
• Ensure provisional stock supplies are accurate.
• Document medications administered electronically.
• Deliver written and verbal information to patients and off-site medical personnel.
• Administer treatments accurately.
• The staff nurse will demonstrate a commitment to personal professionalism by:
• Define continuing educational needs and identify ways to meet these needs.
• Set appropriate priorities related to safety, needs, time, and resources.
• Communicate appropriately with other shifts and departments to facilitate new plans and plan changes.
• Inspect and maintain medical equipment, including emergency equipment.
• Provide pertinent health related training to patients and staff.
• Provide orientation of Health Services department to new employees and designated volunteers.
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Nursing Services Director/Nursing Supervisor/Administrator of Nursing.
• Report instances of unsafe nursing practices by self or others to a supervisor.
• Respect patient rights, confidentiality and concerns.

Licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Iowa by the Iowa Board of Nursing or licensure as a Registered Nurse in accordance with the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrator's Agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

NOTE
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Be sure to include your State of Iowa or compact state license number and expiration date with your application. Compact license holders are required to obtain an Iowa license within 60 days.

For additional information, please view the job description. More information regarding the Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators agreement of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing is available at the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Review the provisions of the statute that authorized the creation of the Nurse Licensure Compact at Chapter 152E, Iowa Code.