Correctional Nurse - lock

Overview

No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

The Correctional Nurse 3 is a supervisory position that provides comprehensive nursing care to incarcerated individuals within a Nevada Department of Corrections facility. This position functions under minimal supervision and is responsible for performing advanced clinical duties, including conducting physical assessments, developing and implementing care plans, and managing both chronic and acute health conditions. The nurse will administer medications, monitor treatment responses, and provide emergency interventions when necessary.

Working collaboratively with physicians, mental health professionals, and correctional officers, the Correctional Nurse ensures continuity of care while adhering to safety, security, and infection control protocols. This role also includes providing patient education, mentoring lower-level nursing staff, and maintaining accurate and confidential medical records in compliance with institutional and legal standards. The position requires a strong understanding of correctional healthcare practices, sound clinical judgment, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-security environment.

Under general supervision of a higher-level nurse, Correctional Nurses provide professional nursing care to patients in a correctional setting in accordance with the authorized scope of practice specified in the Nurse Practice Act and Nevada Revised Statutes.

License as a Registered Nurse and three years of professional nursing experience in a correctional or institutional setting; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Identify patient health care needs utilizing professional nursing assessment skills; make comprehensive clinical observations and evaluations of health needs including subtle abnormalities and changes in condition; record and report indicative signs and symptoms of physical and mental condition.

Prepare nursing care plans by assessing patient’s psychological and physical condition and conferring with other health care professionals; evaluate needs and develop nursing diagnoses, plans for treatment, services and health education based on the present and predicted needs of the patient; identify immediate and long-term care goals; review and revise care plans as needed.

Coordinate health services and treatment; conduct sick calls for inmates with medical complaints; identify inmates requiring immediate medical treatment; obtain physician’s or designee’s orders for treatment; collaborate with professional and paraprofessional staff to ensure optimum patient care.

Administer medication to identified patients as prescribed by a physician or designee; ensure correct time, dosage and route of administration; deliver medication to inmates confined to their cells; obtain and distribute non-prescription medications such as aspirin, lozenges, cold tablets; count controlled medications and needles, syringes, and sharps to ensure security; monitor patient for medication side effects and/or allergic reaction; observe patient to determine if medication is effective for prescribed treatment and document medications administered and refused;

if necessary, notify appropriate personnel of action taken.

Perform physical assessments and assist in physical examinations and diagnostic testing; obtain samples for laboratory tests as ordered by a physician or designee; perform assigned laboratory tests.

Take timely, effective and proper measures to provide and maintain hygienic environments.

Provide emergency medical treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid required to stabilize the patient’s condition and prevent more serious complications pursuant to established policy and security conditions.

Document nurse progress notes in medical charts including patient’s health status, changes in condition, and medications administered; review charts for changes in orders and transcribe; prepare written reports, records and summaries; perform quality improvement activities such as auditing charts and compiling statistics; ensure applicable…