Travel Nurse RN - Public Health
Lowville, NY
First Connect Health
5x8 hrs, Days
Referral Bonus

County Jail Registered Nurse – Lowville, NY

Contract Duration: 13 Weeks (Starts ASAP)

Shift: Days | Monday – Friday (8 Hours/Day)

Job Summary

Seeking a highly autonomous Registered Nurse for a unique assignment within the County Jail system. Correctional nursing is a distinct specialty that combines public health, emergency medicine, and behavioral health. You will serve as the primary clinical advocate for the inmate population, performing everything from intake screenings and "sick calls" to the management of chronic conditions and infectious disease control.

Key Responsibilities

• Intake & Assessment: Perform initial health screenings for new inmates, including detailed medical/surgical histories and medication reconciliation.
• Sick Call Management: Conduct daily sick calls to triage patient needs and determine the priority for seeing the Jail Physician.
• Medication Administration: Manage the procurement and administration of all inmate medications; maintain strict logs for DEA-regulated substances.
• Public Health & Screening: Perform Tuberculin (TB) skin screenings, HIV counseling/testing, and implement practices to control communicable diseases within the facility.
• Clinical Procedures: Carry out physician-ordered treatments, including dressing changes, therapeutic nursing procedures, and rehabilitative measures.
• Referral Coordination: Arrange for external health or mental health referral services when inmate needs exceed the jail's onsite capabilities.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all health services adhere to the minimum regulations set by the NYS Department of Corrections.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Minimum 2 years of RN experience is required. Prior experience in corrections, emergency medicine, or public health is highly advantageous.
• Licensure: Active New York (NY) RN License (Must be currently active).
• Certifications: AHA BLS required.
• Professional Attributes: Must possess strong boundaries, excellent de-escalation skills, and the ability to work independently in a secure environment.

Unit & Facility Details

• Location: Lowville, NY 13367.
• Shift Details: 8-hour days, Monday through Friday (40 hours per week).
• Holiday Coverage: Required as needed.
• EMR: Not specified (Often paper charting or specialized correctional software).

Financial & Logistics Notes

• Start Date: The tentative start date is listed as 04/08/2026—this is an urgent/ASAP start.
• Environment: Secure correctional facility; requires strict adherence to safety and security protocols.

Clinical Spotlight: The Correctional Generalist

In a jail setting, you are often the only medical professional on-site. Your clinical "detective" skills are paramount. You must be able to distinguish between malingering and acute clinical distress while providing non-judgmental care to a vulnerable population. From managing withdrawal symptoms and chronic diabetes to treating minor trauma, the Correctional RN is the backbone of the facility's safety and human rights standards.

Lowville is located in the scenic Black River Valley, nestled between the Tug Hill Plateau and the Adirondack Mountains.