Job Specification

Purpose :

To ensure the efficient and effective operation of the institution's health care services and the general health care of inmates within a multi-disciplinary team in order to ensure a safe environment for both inmates and staff through the effective delivery of medical and nursing programs/services.

To assist in the development and implementation of health care policies, practices and procedures and to provide professional direction to subordinate staff.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Checks quality of work of Medical Clerks and ensures records are properly maintained to standards; provides professional direction and demonstration of evidenced-based nursing techniques and practices; provides coaching and counseling in evidence-based practices; establishes, organizes and administers shift and vacation schedules for approval.
2. Maintains distribution and security of all medication, including narcotic and controlled drugs, equipment, and medical and treatment supplies; requisitions supplies and signs for receipt of medication.
3. Provides direct nursing care to inmates; administers/monitors medication(s), and consults with offenders, physicians and other treatment professionals; provides crisis intervention/management and health care counselling and education; performs emergency first aid and Tuberculosis testing to facility staff.
4. Supervises nursing staff in: the coordination and administration of various physiological tests such as urine, blood and Tuberculosis; the co-ordination and scheduling of referrals for psychiatric, medical, optical, laboratory, radiology, dental, physiotherapy and treatment staff; the recording and follow up from tests and appointments; identification of gaps in services and alternative services available within the community.
5. Assists in the development, implementation, review and evaluation of health care programs and services to ensure high standards are maintained; coordinates health care services/programs with other disciplines; develops, plans and implements the delivery of health services education programs for offenders and staff; maintains relevant records and statistics to identify trends and developments that have critical program/ service delivery, policy and planning implications.
6. Monitors adherence to budget allotments, assists in ordering pharmaceuticals, and assists in producing monthly departmental financial statistical reports
7. Assists in the review/processing of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, release of clinical information to inmates, lawyers, courts, community health care providers pertaining to offender medical information; responds to inquiries from the Ombudsman and other sources with respect to offenders on health care matters; liaises with the community, such as Mental Health centres, Public Health departments, private physicians/specialists, hospitals, other correctional facilities; when necessary, represents the Ministry at court regarding Health Care medical files.
1. Checks quality of work of Medical Clerks and ensures records are properly maintained to standards; provides professional direction and demonstration of evidenced-based nursing techniques and practices; provides coaching and counseling in evidence-based practices; establishes, organizes and administers shift and vacation schedules for approval.
2. Maintains distribution and security of all medication, including narcotic and controlled drugs, equipment, and medical and treatment supplies; requisitions supplies and signs for receipt of medication.
3. Provides direct nursing care to inmates; administers/monitors medication(s), and consults with offenders, physicians and other treatment professionals; provides crisis intervention/management and health care counselling and education; performs emergency first aid and Tuberculosis testing to facility staff.
4. Supervises nursing staff in: the coordination and administration of various physiological tests such as urine, blood and Tuberculosis; the co-ordination and scheduling of referrals for psychiatric, medical, optical, laboratory, radiology, dental, physiotherapy and treatment staff; the recording and follow up from tests and appointments; identification of gaps in services and alternative services available within the community.
5. Assists in the development, implementation, review and evaluation of health care programs and services to ensure high standards are maintained; coordinates health care services/programs with other disciplines; develops, plans and implements the delivery of health services education programs for offenders and staff; maintains relevant records and statistics to identify trends and developments that have critical program/ service delivery, policy and planning implications.
6. Monitors adherence to budget allotments, assists in ordering pharmaceuticals, and assists in producing monthly departmental financial statistical reports
7. Assists in the review/processing of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, release of clinical information to inmates, lawyers, courts, community health care providers pertaining to offender medical information; responds to inquiries from the Ombudsman and other sources with respect to offenders on health care matters; liaises with the community, such as Mental Health centres, Public Health departments, private physicians/specialists, hospitals, other correctional facilities; when necessary, represents the Ministry at court regarding Health Care medical files.

Qualifications :

Registration as a Nurse in Ontario

Factors :

Knowledge :

Nursing administration, health care programs and operations to coordinate health care programs during a shift.

Correctional philosophies, policies and procedures relating to health care services in a secure correctional facility in order to work within a multidisciplinary team environment and understand the roles and responsibilities of other professionals and operational staff in order to coordinate nursing services/programs.

College of Nurses professional standards, guidelines and practice expectations to supervise nursing services within a correctional environment.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for the efficient and effective administration of health care programs and services on an assigned shift within the institution.

Responsible for the health care and nursing services on several specialized units as well as quality of care provided to inmates.

Analytical Thinking :

Assists in the development, implementation, review and evaluation of health care programs and services to ensure high standards are maintained.

Assesses risks, diagnoses medical problems/symptoms and makes sound determinations surrounding continued health care and special services needs such as transfer to local hospital for further treatment.

Ensures nursing care issues are identified on shift and resolved; assesses risks within units and with specialized treatment for industrial accidents/emergencies; assesses health care problem/symptoms/emergencies and makes sound determination surrounding continued health care needs such as transfers to local hospital for further treatment and emergency care.

Planning / Coordinating :

Plans and administers the program operations; estimates and recommends financial, material and human resources needs, coordinates operations with other areas of the branch and division, develops work plans to meet program objectives, and provides input to divisional results based and strategic planning processes.

Supervises the daily activities of Medical Clerks and ensures records are properly maintained to standards.

Supervises nursing staff in the coordination and administration of various physiological tests and ensures that staff are properly trained in nursing techniques and practices.

Maintains distribution and security of all medication, including narcotic and controlled drugs, equipment, and medical and treatment supplies; requisitions supplies and signs for receipt of medication.

Leadership/Guidance :

Responsible for providing oversight of the daily operations of health care professionals.

Independence of Action :

Operational guidelines guide most day-to-day decisions for maintaining and evaluating procedures and methods for delivery of health services, and developing, and delivering in-service education and health service programs provide professional and consistent standards of health care.

Assesses health care problem/symptoms/emergencies and makes recommendations surrounding continued health care needs such as transfers to local hospital for further treatment and emergency care.

Resolves disputes and diffuses situations, with prime consideration being given to inmate's health care needs, to ensure that the balance between security and care is maintained in an institution with a wide range of activities.

Identifies gaps or the need for changes in the health care program based on professional nursing knowledge and develops nursing service goals/programs, objectives and standards.

Provides direction to staff and ensures compliance with standard nursing practices, policies and procedures.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Discusses health care concerns and issues with Manager, professional and administrative staff in order to exchange information and seek health care advice.

Exchanges information and provides advice on offender needs to medical practitioners. Discusses medical problems and history with offender family members.

Participates on relevant work committees; contacts nursing associations to research professional standards, trends and developments and with educational institutions to arrange student placements.

Liaises with the community, such as Mental Health centres, Public Health departments, private physicians/specialists, hospitals, other correctional facilities; when necessary, represents the Ministry at court regarding Health Care medical files.

Responds to various professional service delivery issues with inmates and their families, other health care community agencies and organizations.

Physical Effort :

The majority of time is spent in health care services areas within a secure facility/institution with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects such as nursing supplies.

Sensory Effort :

Requires moderate level of visual attention and concentration to analyze and assess inmate needs and medical histories.

Working Conditions :

Work is conducted within a correctional facility with occasional exposure to verbal abuse, and the potential for physical danger.