Staff Nurse III

Introduction This examination is being given to fill 2 vacancies in the Correctional Health Services Department and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline. NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail. Pre-Employment Physical and Drug Screen: Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination and a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible candidate has passed the drug screen and physical. The County pays for the initial drug screen and physical. Correctional Health Services provides health care to adult inmates at the San Joaquin County jail facility, located at 7000 Michael N. Canlis Blvd, French Camp, CA 95231. The care is mandated by Title 15, Division 1, Sub-Chapter IV of the California Regulatory Code. To work in the County jail facility, applicants must pass a rigorous security clearance which is a condition of employment. More information about the San Joaquin County jail facility and the mandatory security clearance is contained in the supplemental application which must be completed and submitted with the standard County employment application. Full time civil service positions include a competitive benefit package and retirement program. Some classifications assigned to the Correctional Health facility may receive a 5% pay supplement. SN III- CHS by Employment Services Team TYPICAL DUTIES Initiates the nursing process and performs journey-level nursing care, including therapeutic measures prescribed by medical authority within the limits of the Nurse Practice Act and department policy. Evaluates the total nursing needs of the patient including physical, psychological, spiritual, cultural and socio-economic; participates in planning, coordinating and administering total patient care; evaluates symptoms, reactions, and progress; participates in preparation and implementation of written nursing care plans for individual patients; may participate in or lead therapy groups. Participates in the orientation, teaching, leading and evaluating of assigned para-professional and/or technical personnel; participates in teaching patients the principles of health and self care. May facilitate insurance billing and other reimbursement-related procedures by processing appropriate paperwork and making necessary internal and external contacts. May consult with therapeutic multi-disciplinary team in reviewing patient progress and success of treatment plans. May provide crisis intervention, crisis stabilization and follow-up therapy; may make crisis referrals as required. Keeps records of patient's health care treatment and/or hospital stay; prepares reports and standard forms. Works with patients and families through teaching, counseling, and other methodology in order to help them understand, cope with, and accept illness, treatment, and therapy; assists in self care strategies. May function as a charge nurse; may assume full responsibility for the supervision of a shift in the absence of a Staff Nurse IV, Staff Nurse V or Nursing Department Manager; may supervise and assist nursing personnel in the performance of patient care. Maintains and updates knowledge base and nursing skills by reading literature, attending workshops, lectures, conferences, and classes as may be required by the Administration of the Department of Health Care Services. Participates on committees as assigned; as assigned, may represent the Department of Health Care Services to outside agencies. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Experience: Six months as a registered nurse in an acute care or mental health facility. Substitution: Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing may be substituted for the required experience. Licenses and Certificates: Current registration as a nurse in the State of California; or possession of an interim permit issued by the State of California Board of Registered Nursing. Special Requirement: Possession of a San Joaquin County Mobile Intensive Care Nurse (MICN) certificate, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certificate, completion of an approved ICU/CCU training course, or other approved training or experience may be required for assignment or continued assignment to specialized nursing units. KNOWLEDGE Theory, practices and techniques of nursing; safety principles and practices, applicable Federal and State laws as related to patient care. ABILITY Lead and assist members of the health care team; maintain a high standard of care; deal with patients empathetically and respectfully while performing treatments prescribed; instruct patients in self care and preventative health strategies; follow oral and written instructions of technical and professional nature accurately; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; maintain a safe facility environment; maintain cohesiveness and communication as a team during high stress; establish and maintain effective customer service; maintain accurate records and prepare routine reports; participate effectively in performance improvement processes; provide and promote a positive learning environment. PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Mobility-Constant walking; frequent operation of a keyboard; standing for long periods of time, pushing/pulling, bending and squatting; occasional sitting for long periods of time, running, climbing stairs and climbing; Frequency of Lifting-Frequent restraining lifting/turning of heavy objects or people; Visual Requirements-Constant need for overall vision, color and depth perception, hand/eye coordination, and field of vision/peripheral vision; frequent reading and close up work; Dexterity-Frequent holding, reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking-Constant hearing of normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on telephone or radio; occasional hearing of faint sounds and talking over public address; Emotional/Psychological Factors-Constant concentration and public contact; occasional exposure to hazardous materials; frequent exposure to emergency situations, including trauma, grief and death, decision making, working weekends and nights; occasional work at heights, working alone and overtime; Environmental Conditions-Frequent exposure to assaultive behavior by clients; occasional exposure to noise, cold/heat, and hazardous materials, dirt, dust, smoke, fumes and poor ventilation. San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. Equal Opportunity Employer San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org). Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. BENEFITS Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides full-time employees and part-time employees eligible for benefits with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premiums. Dependent coverage is available for all plans. Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee's expense. Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee's expense. For more detailed information on the County's benefits program, visit our website at under Human Resources/Benefits. Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5, years of continuous service or more: $10,000 Employees may purchase additional term life insurance up to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate. 125 Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit). Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees' Retirement Association (SJCERA) at for more information . click apply for full job details