Job Abstract

• As the primary liaison with the Correctional Health Services Administrator and staff physician, dentist, psychiatrist, and nurse practitioner, coordinates Health Care Section activities to ensure compliance with current orders, procedures and policies and to ensure completion of operational goals and objectives;

• As the Quality Assurance Nurse (QAN), implements, and manages effective, continuous quality improvement measures within the Adult Detention Center’s Health Care Section. Supports best practice approaches, evaluates capacity and service effectiveness, develops measurement tools;

• With the Correctional Health Services Administrator, periodically updates policies and procedures, informing staff of upcoming changes and coordinating their implementation;

• Prepares documentation needed to meet the standards set by the Virginia Board of Corrections, the Virginia Board of Health Professionals, the American Correctional Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care;

• Participates in preparing the Section's budget request for additional equipment and/or staff;

• Monitors the conduct and behavior of staff, providing counseling and recommending/initiating disciplinary action when appropriate;

• Ensures medical records are properly maintained and remain confidential;

• Establishes/approves work schedules that provide adequate staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

• Consults with inmates' families and attorneys regarding health care delivery and services available;

• Reviews performance evaluations of lower-level staff, establishes individual action plans to improve performance and/or efficiency, and seeks training opportunities for subordinates;

• Serves as the resource nurse for the Correctional Health Nurse III (shift supervisor) positions;

• Makes the final decision on health care issues that can be resolved at the section level, deferring to the Correctional Health Services Administrator, physician, nurse practitioner, dentist or psychiatrist as needed;

• Ensures that inmate complaints and grievances related to health care are investigated and addressed;

• Reviews and revises contract specifications and vendor contracts for health care services.

• Extensive knowledge of nursing policies, procedures, practices, and protocols;

• Thorough knowledge of agency operating procedures and health care standards adopted by the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, the Virginia Board of Corrections, and the Virginia Board of Health Professionals;

• Extensive knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, techniques, and procedures;

• Knowledge of County personnel, budgeting, and procurement policies and procedures;

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, other staff members, inmates, and their families and attorneys;

• Ability to effectively supervise the work of subordinate health care professionals;

• Ability to quickly assess an emergency and respond appropriately.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing with a bachelor's degree in nursing; plus, five years of post-licensure experience as a nurse, plus at least one year of supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Background working in Correctional Health
• Experience working as a Nurse Educator or Healthcare Auditor
• Experience working in quality assurance/compliance within a healthcare setting.
• Nursing Experience working in an Emergency Room (ER) or an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

• Registered Nurse License (VA) (Required)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required)