HAMPSHIRE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
JOB DESCRIPTION
Nurse Practitioner
SUMMARY OF POSITION
Professional work engaging in primary health care decision making for inmates at the Hampshire Sheriff’s Office Jail and House of Correction. Practices, plans, implements, supervises and promotes health maintenance to the offender population in accordance with Department policy, the State, the American Correctional Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. Specific responsibilities include working in conjunction with the Medically-Assisted Treatment Program Director to ensure best practices are developed and implemented while administering the MAT program in accordance with all state and federal guidelines.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the direction of the Physician, in conjunction with the Health Services Administrator, as the designated health authority in providing the necessary mechanisms for quality health care.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Assists with supervision of the Medical Department to include all personnel assigned to the Medical Department and schedules work times. Assists nursing functions of the Medical Department.
- Assists with developing and editing medical protocols; including but not limited to MAT, as necessary. Ensures standards and compliance are met related to ACA, NCCHC, MA state and all Federal laws.
- Assist in all departmental functions, medical records, daily sick call, physical examinations, medication orders, communicable disease control, and operations.
- Has direct contact with the offender population, providing direct primary health care in collaboration with the physician.
- Uses sound clinical judgment in assessing, planning, implementing, documenting, and evaluating nursing care.
- Provides acute and chronic health care and physical examinations. Diagnose health condition and illnesses.
- Supervises medical care and needs of the offender population.
- Assures safety, security, and cleanliness of medical area.
- Insures proper distribution of prescribed medications.
- Works directly with all physicians administering to the offender population.
- Works closely with Human Services personnel regarding mental health needs of the offender population.
- Promotes good health practices. Maintains accurate records and schedules.
- Address any exceptional problem cases with physician and shift supervisors.
- Participates in the formulation of policy for facility medical service in cooperation with the Administration.
- Supervises and evaluates Medical Department staff’s job performance as needed.
- Any other task or responsibility as assigned or required.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- A minimum of a Master’s Degree, with licensure as a provider and proven experience as a Nurse Practitioner in a clinic, hospital, ER or other related settings.
- Demonstrated qualities of integrity, dependability and strong work ethics
- Experience with medically assisted treatment (MAT) preferred.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Knowledge of acute and chronic health care management and emergency procedures.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with both staff and the offender population.
- Team approach with a positive attitude.
- Willingness to continue gaining knowledge and experience in the fields of health services and corrections.
- Valid Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistance license
- Must successfully pass a background investigation.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Performance of duties providing care with working conditions that may present risk of injury typically associated with working in a correctional facility setting with an offender population.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Regularly required to stand/walk; talk/hear; lift/carry; push/pull with force; and maintain balance
- Occasionally required to climb/stoop; reach with hands/arms; occasionally lift and/or move boxes up to 20 lbs.
- Manual dexterity required in performing duties
- Specific vision abilities required by the position include close vision, distance vision and peripheral vision; reading of written, printed or computer screen data.