Registered Nurse I - Gilliam Youth Services Center

Registered Nurse I - Gilliam Youth Services Center

Delivers health care to detained and committed youth within the nurse's scope of practice. Primary care is provided by independent practitioners with responsibility for a continuum of care from the initial assessment through development and maintenance of health care including physical, psychiatric and dental maintenance. Specific job duties include:

Clinical Duties: Initial nursing assessments and triage of requests for health/medical care submitted by youth. Reviews the admission medical information obtained by security staff at intake. Administers nursing care and provides the youth education for routine, urgent and emergent medical situations within the scope of practice. Obtains laboratory and other diagnostic procedures ordered by medical providers, review results and notify provider of results when indicated. Initiates nursing/medical treatment plans for youth with special health care needs. Reviews and revises treatment plans as needed. Completes health appraisals, physical exams, vision/hearing screenings, in-house laboratory diagnostic testing (e.g. urine dipsticks, pregnancy tests, STI urine testing, PPD tests etc.), and immunizations per Division of Youth Services (DYS) policy. Documents all encounters with youth in electronic medical records system and/or appropriate medical logs in an accurate and timely manner. Maintains confidentiality of all patient information (oral and written) according to federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Initiates consultations/referrals to mid-level provider and/or appropriate physician when indicated. Responds to requests for emergent situations (Code Blue, Code Red) occurring on campus, administer CPR/First Aid and initiate a 911 call if indicated. Delivers medications, medical supplies and evaluates youth who may be confined to specific buildings or rooms throughout the campus setting. Other nursing duties as delegated/ordered by DYS physicians or mid-level providers.

Medication and Treatment: Responsible for the ordering and preparation of youth's medications for administration within the facility. Transcription and procurement of psychiatrist, physician, and/or mid-level provider medication orders. Maintains accuracy of individual Medication Administration Records through reviewing and updating on a continuous basis. Monitors those records for medication errors and reporting them to the Lead Medical or Mid-Level Provider in charge, including lack of documentation regarding administration of medications. Educates youth and staff about medications, side effects, desired effects and importance of compliance with prescribed medications. Investigates and documents interviews with youth refusing prescribed medications and initiates interventions. Maintains inventory logs of medications arriving at the facility for youth, preparing them for administration by medical and QMAP staff and delivering them to youth. Transcribes, orders, prepares and administers medications including intramuscular medications per prescribed providers' orders. Updates Medication Administration Record (MAR). Monitors MARs for errors and reports errors to medical clinic supervisor and facility administration. Assists in ordering and maintaining stock supplies, medications and equipment within the campus clinics. Monitors inventory and restocks medications and supplies in campus clinics and living units. Checks campus First Aid Kits, AED's, pharmaceutical refrigerators and other equipment on a continuing basis to maintain adequate functioning of the medical department and provision of health care for youth. Documents administration of youth medications and behavioral contacts in electronic medical record database. Assess vaccine status and administers needed vaccines per CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and provider recommendation. Follows Vaccine for Children's Program protocols for immunization administration and safe storage and handling.

Mental Health: Evaluates resident's mental status/mental health and behavioral health conditions through interview, health appraisal, and observation. Provides basic mental health intervention and refer to psychiatrist or mental health resource for further evaluation, intervention or transfer to a mental health institution. Provides basic nursing interventions/education during encounter with youth as indicated. Makes appropriate referrals and/or consultations with mental health providers or psychiatrist. Conducts mental health referrals as necessary. Actively involves parents and legal guardians in the care and treatment of the mental health of their youth.

Health Education: Assesses and identifies the knowledge deficits regarding general health and hygiene topics presented by youth in routine and formal encounters. Provides individual and group education regarding health promotion, disease and injury prevention to youth and staff on an ongoing basis. Topics specific to this population include but are not limited to: healthy lifestyle i.e. diet, exercise, sleep hygiene, stress management, proper hygiene practices, dental care, STI's and safe sexual practices, contraceptive options, injury prevention using helmets and other protective sports gear and other issues identified by youth/staff. Identifies gender-specific educational needs of youth. Provides ongoing education regarding medication administration, infection prevention and other health related topics specific to staff.

Minimum qualifications, substitutions, conditions of employment and appeal rights are available in the full job announcement. The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits