DETENTION LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, provide vocational nursing care in the County's detention facilities; and perform other duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is the fully qualified vocational nurse assigned to a detention setting. Incumbents work under general medical direction and supervision of professional registered nursing staff but may be without continuous direct supervision. This class is distinguished from other detention nursing classes by the level of medical assessment, care and treatment which can legally be performed under their license. Incumbents are assigned duties which involve ongoing contact with inmates.

TYPICAL TASKS

Assess medical condition and need for treatment of incoming inmates and refers inmates with critical medical/psychiatric conditions that cannot be managed within the facility to emergency centers; take medical histories, screen for potential medical and emotional problems, assess physical and mental status and assists in determining inmate housing assignment; respond to emergencies, administer first aid, CPR and other appropriate emergency measures; receive and triage requests for medical care, evaluate complaints, examine inmates and determine medical needs; record and report conditions requiring further treatment; make appointments with County physician/psychiatrist or mid-level practitioner as required; administer prescriptions in accordance with physician's or mid level practitioner's orders; administer over the counter medications as directed; observe and document effects of medication; note and act upon physician's or mid level practitioner's orders; apply dressings and provide other routine treatment; take measures necessary to control communicable disease; perform venepuncture to obtain blood samples; take urine and other routine lab test samples; assist in performing routine physical examinations; may assist in training new employees; inform Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse supervisor about the change of medical status of inmates; inform incoming shift personnel of previous shift activity; may assess infirmary admissions and discharges; check and monitor inmates assigned in infirmary taking vital signs, and reporting changes to Registered Nursing staff conducting neurological checks, noting physical and mental condition; provide information on health maintenance and disease control to inmates; establish and maintain medical records; maintain log of services and medications; inventory controlled substances, medicines and other supplies; order and pick up medical and other supplies; write reports.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Working knowledge of:

• Vocational nursing techniques, practices and procedures.
• Routine medical/psychological assessment techniques.
• Administering medications and treatment.
• Medical terminology, instruments and equipment.
• Interviewing techniques.
• The uses, effects and adverse reactions to medications and controlled substances.
• Universal precautions consistent with infectious disease control.
• Accurate charting and medical record keeping practices.

Some knowledge of:

• Emergency response practices and procedures.
• The law governing vocational nursing scope of practice.

Ability to:

• Assess physical/psychological condition and interview inmates to obtain medical histories.
• Deal effectively with manipulative, hostile and antisocial behavior.
• Respond effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Work in an institutional setting and learn and apply institutional rules, policies and regulations.
• Explain medical procedures, treatments and medications to inmates.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Maintain accurate and well documented inmate medical records and write routine reports.
• Maintain confidentiality of medical information, medical records and Criminal Justice information.
• Make effective, reasonable and responsible decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action.
• Deal firmly and fairly with inmates and demonstrate tact and diplomacy.
• Learn to identify alcohol, drug and street drug related symptoms and behaviors.
• Apply first aid and CPR which requires stamina and coordination.
• Push heavy objects such as Med carts, or an occupied wheelchair.
• Rapidly move to an emergency medical situation.
• Distinguish colors of uniforms and armbands to identify inmate access to restricted areas.
• Distinguish verbal and nonverbal sounds in a noisy environment.
• Stand and walk for long periods of time.
• Lift objects weighing up to 16 pounds, such as an emergency bag, portable oxygen tank, and medical cardex files. DETENTION LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE - 3

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledges and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledges and abilities would be:

Six months of emergency room, institutional or related nursing experience.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

• License/Certificate: Possession of a valid license as a Vocational Nurse issued by the State of California Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners; possession of a current CPR certificate; possession of a California class C driver license.
• Background Investigation: Fingerprinting and a background investigation are required.
• Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: Odors such as vomitus, feces, urine and draining abscesses; fumes from cleaning supplies and solvents; noise such as shouting inmates and constant radio communications; hostile individuals; and infections which might cause chronic disease or death.
• Other Special Requirements: Incumbents work shift schedules involving night, weekend and holiday work in a 24-hour, seven day a week operation.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None
Bargaining Unit: 41
EEOC Job Category: 03
Occupational Grouping: 55
Workers' Comp Code: 0290