Quality Assurance Nurse (Correctional Health Nurse IV)

Job Announcement

*$10,000 Sign-on BONUS*    

This position ensures that all employees are competently and compassionately delivering the highest quality of medical and behavioral health care within a correctional setting. Coordinates and manages implementation of effective continuous quality improvement measures through the supervision of staff and monitoring of contractor performance for compliance with quality assurance standards. Supports best practice approaches, evaluates capacity and service effectiveness, develops measurement tools, and works as a member of the Medical Branch Leadership Team. Oversees continuous quality improvement, quality assurance, and program evaluation practices throughout the medical, dental, jail-based behavioral health, and pharmacy departments. Uses algorithms, flow charts, best practice research, and business process tools for the standardization of treatment approaches across all service program areas. Makes recommendations for system improvements based on data. Assures compliance with local, state, and national regulations and accreditation standards. Maintains the ability to motivate staff to be actively involved with these processes. 

Illustrative Duties

The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

As the primary liaison with the Correctional Health Services Administrator and staff physician, dentist, psychiatrist, and nurse practitioner, coordinates Health Care Section activities to ensure compliance with current orders, procedures and policies and to ensure completion of operational goals and objectives;

As the Quality Assurance Nurse (QAN), implements, and manages effective, continuous quality improvement measures within the Adult Detention Center’s Health Care Section. Supports best practice approaches, evaluates capacity and service effectiveness, develops measurement tools;

With the Correctional Health Services Administrator, periodically updates policies and procedures, informing staff of upcoming changes and coordinating their implementation;

Prepares documentation needed to meet the standards set by the Virginia Board of Corrections, the Virginia Board of Health Professionals, the American Correctional Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care; 

Participates in preparing the Section's budget request for additional equipment and/or staff;

Monitors the conduct and behavior of staff, providing counseling and recommending/initiating disciplinary action when appropriate;

Ensures medical records are properly maintained and remain confidential;

Establishes/approves work schedules that provide adequate staff coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week;

Consults with inmates' families and attorneys regarding health care delivery and services available;

Reviews performance evaluations of lower-level staff, establishes individual action plans to improve performance and/or efficiency, and seeks training opportunities for subordinates;

Serves as the resource nurse for the Correctional Health Nurse III (shift supervisor) positions;

Makes the final decision on health care issues that can be resolved at the section level, deferring to the Correctional Health Services Administrator, physician, nurse practitioner, dentist or psychiatrist as needed;

Ensures that inmate complaints and grievances related to health care are investigated and addressed; 

Reviews and revises contract specifications and vendor contracts for health care services.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Extensive knowledge of nursing policies, procedures, practices, and protocols;

Thorough knowledge of agency operating procedures and health care standards adopted by the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care, the Virginia Board of Corrections, and the Virginia Board of Health Professionals;

Extensive knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, techniques, and procedures;

Knowledge of County personnel, budgeting, and procurement policies and procedures;

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, other staff members, inmates, and their families and attorneys;

Ability to effectively supervise the work of subordinate health care professionals;

Ability to quickly assess an emergency and respond appropriately.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
Graduation from a college or university accredited by the National League for Nursing with a bachelor's degree in nursing; plus, five years of post-licensure experience as a nurse, plus at least one year of supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Related Field
• Background working in Correctional Health
• Experience working in quality assurance/compliance within a healthcare setting.
• Nursing Experience working in an Emergency Room (ER) or an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
 

• Registered Nurse License (VA) (Required)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) (Required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, polygraph exam, and tuberculosis test to the satisfaction of the employer.  
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Ability to quickly assess an emergency and respond appropriately. Maintain physical requirements needed to perform duties. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
 
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
 
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
 
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
  
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.