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.