Registered Nurse (RN) - Med Surg
Travis County
Austin, TX

Registered Nurse II (FT)

Are you passionate about providing quality patient care and making a difference in your community? If so, we invite you to consider this unique opportunity working with at-risk youth! The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) is accepting applications for part-time and full-time Registered Nurse II positions in our Medical Services unit. These positions are critical to ensure that 24/7 medical operations are maintained to promote quality care to juvenile clients through assessment, medication management, and direct client care. Shift Differential Pay ($4.40/hour) is available for any weekend hours worked and hours worked between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays. About Our Agency: The mission of the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) is to provide for public safety by effectively addressing the needs of juveniles, families, and the victims of crime. To accomplish this, TCJPD utilizes a comprehensive continuum of care that incorporates victim mediation services; direct supervision; alternative education; substance abuse services; residential, outpatient, and day treatment programs; in-home family counseling; and wrap-around and aftercare services. TCJPD utilizes trauma-informed mental health assessments and psychological evaluations to identify youth in need of specialized services. TCJPD provides onsite services and collaborates with community partners to help ensure that youth and families receive interventions that target their identified treatment needs.  DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the fourth in a series of five nursing-related job classifications within the Medical job family. This classification practices under the guidelines of the Texas Nurse Practice Act in collaboration with physicians and other staff. Incumbents perform complex nursing duties that require initiative and independent judgment. This classification is distinguished from the Registered Charge Nurse in that incumbents do not assign nursing schedules, oversee clinic scheduling or provide clinical supervision to nursing staff on duty. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. * Conducts intake and physical assessments of patients, including immediate medical attention and/or psychological needs. Assesses patients to determine if they need to be referred to outside resources for more extensive medical assessment and treatment. * Performs drug screens. * Orders and inventories medications daily. Dispenses medications as prescribed on a daily basis. * Responds to and assesses all categories of patient emergent medical needs. Provides and/or arranges for treatment according to protocol and/or direction from authorized medical staff. * Works in Dental and STD clinics. * Consults with clinical and administrative staff about patient health care issues. * Provides direct health care to patients, including wound care, medication administration, monitoring of vital signs and laboratory procedures. * Coordinates with and assists other medical staff about all aspects of patient health care. * Practices and trains healthcare staff in safety, environmental and/or infection control methods. * Provides health care instruction and counseling to residents. * Documents patient's condition and maintains patient medical files and records and enters into computer. Performs other administrative duties. * Answers medical questions from staff, patient's relatives and others as appropriate. * Assists in prioritizing patient needs, based on urgency and severity of medical condition. * May assist patients with activities of daily living, including bathing and feeding. * Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited Registered Nursing program AND one (1) year of Registered Nursing experience. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Texas. Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: * Standard nursing and other healthcare practices. * Policies, practices, procedures and terminology related to nursing and healthcare. * Federal, State, Local and County nursing and other healthcare laws and requirements. * Mental health treatment and practices. * Proper dosages and expected results of medication. * Diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases and injuries. * Proper infection control techniques. * Principles and procedures of medical documentation and record keeping. * Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and a variety of software packages. * Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information. Skill in: * Administering daily patient care, including using stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer and other medical instruments. * Administering Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid. * Performing medical tests and recording results accurately. * Prioritizing patient needs. * Problem-solving and decision-making. * Both verbal and written communication. Ability to: * Work efficiently both independently and as part of a medical team. * Recognize and identify health symptoms. * Chronicle patient histories and enter data into the computer. * Order, inventory and monitor medications. * Exercise sound judgement and react quickly in emergency situations. * Supervise the work of subordinates. * Manage time well and perform multiple tasks. * Understand and precisely follow both verbal and written instructions and communicate in a concise and effective manner. * Work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances. * Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals. * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, medical and other County employees and officials, and the general public. Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 35-100 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions. You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.  Work Hours: Work hours and schedule may vary according to business needs.  Works some holidays, Works some nights, Works some weekends  Department:  Juvenile Probation  Location:  2515 S. Congress Ave , Austin, TX Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Physical Exam, and Psychological Exam  Required. Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required. This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.