Registered Nurse; O-Billet Non-Supervisory

Summary

The Registered Nurse provides direct care to ICE detainees, including assessments, triage, medication administration, and emergency response. Responsibilities include coordinating care, maintaining documentation, and ensuring compliance with IHSC policies. The role requires clinical expertise, adaptability to changing schedules, and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary team in a detention setting.

This position is only open to USPHS officers and Call to Active Duty (CAD) candidates.

• Provides direct nursing care to detainees with knowledge of nursing care principles, practices, and procedures.
• Provides nursing procedures as ordered following Lippincott Procedure Manual after completed IHSC Registered Nurse (RN) competency documentation on an annual basis. Additionally, follows and remains current on all applicable IHSC directive and guidelines.
• Documents all detainee encounters using S.O.A.P.E. format, followed by the nurse's signature and name stamp on written documentation or by locking notes in electronic health record.
• Assesses patients' needs and coordinates appropriate nursing care plans.
• Obtains medical histories on detainees; refers identified medical problems to the physician or Advanced Practice Provider (APP) as appropriate.
• Demonstrates nursing triage process and screening of detainees/residents during sick call and performs functions as outlined in the approved IHSC Clinical Nursing Guidelines, referring patients to higher level of care as appropriate.
• Accesses interpretation and/or translation services as needed to ensure communication with detainees or others who are not proficient in English.
• Provides daily nursing care as needed in Medical Housing Units (MHU) and notifies physician or APP of any abnormal findings.
• Provides care for psychiatric patients as indicated.
• Coordinates health‑care needs of detainees with the healthcare team and coordinates referrals to off‑site providers as required.
• Provides patient teaching/training in accordance with agency directives.
• Maintains non‑involvement in security/custody aspects of care.
• Assists the medical provider with medical appointments by taking vital signs and assisting as necessary.
• Responds to emergency medical calls as assigned and provides emergency treatment of injury or illness to detainees as required.
• Performs orders authorized by the physician, APPs, or other qualified health‑care provider.
• Ensures the medical orders are implemented in a timely manner.
• Applies knowledge of drugs and therapeutics in administering medication.
• Ensures that medications prescribed are administered as ordered, using the 6 rights of medication administration.
• Ensures all new medication orders are reviewed before administration and acknowledged either by initials on paper medication administration records or by acknowledging in electronic medication administration record. When medication orders are signed off, initials are placed next to the order and circled to maintain appropriate documentation.
• Maintains security when administering medications; remains cognizant at all times of the potential hazard of drug hoarding and trafficking among detainees.
• Provides radiological services in accordance with nursing board state licensure rules; these services include conducting tuberculosis surveillance (e.g., digital single‑view chest x‑rays) if applicable.
• Draws labs as requested and collects laboratory specimens.
• Administers immunizations; records and documents immunizations accordingly.
• Follows all IHSC Public Health, Safety, and Preparedness Unit Directives and Guides to maintain environmental health and safety, infection control, and all‑hazard emergency preparedness daily.
• Responsible for maintenance of medical equipment and quality control of laboratory reagent.
• Maintains medical supply stock level, may order supplies (lab and other supplies); restocks as needed.
• Performs record‑keeping functions in accordance with program policies.
• May prepare statistical information, regularly scheduled reports, or special reports as necessary.
• Attends general/medical and Nursing Service Unit (NSU) meetings as scheduled.
• Must be able to work rotating…