Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner

About the Role

The Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner at Unity at DC Jail- 400, 40 plays a critical role in delivering comprehensive healthcare services within a correctional facility setting.

This position is responsible for providing high-quality medical care to incarcerated individuals, addressing both acute and chronic health conditions while ensuring compliance with established clinical protocols and correctional health standards.

The role requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement individualized treatment plans that promote patient well-being and safety.

Additionally, the practitioner will engage in health education, preventive care, and timely medical interventions to improve health outcomes in a challenging environment.

Ultimately, this position contributes to maintaining the overall health and safety of the inmate population while supporting the facility’s mission to provide ethical and effective healthcare services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current and unrestricted Physician Assistant (PA) or Nurse Practitioner (NP) license in the applicable state.
• Certification from an accredited PA or NP program and national certification (e. g., NCCPA for PAs, ANCC or AANP for NPs).
• Minimum of two years clinical experience in primary care, emergency medicine, or correctional health preferred.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certifications preferred.
• Ability to pass background checks and meet security clearance requirements for working in a correctional facility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in correctional healthcare settings.
• Additional certifications in correctional health or related specialties.
• Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems used in correctional healthcare.
• Strong knowledge of infectious disease management and mental health care within correctional populations.
• Demonstrated skills in interdisciplinary collaboration and patient advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive patient assessments including history taking, physical examinations, and diagnostic evaluations within the correctional facility.
• Develop, implement, and manage individualized treatment plans for patients with acute and chronic medical conditions.
• Prescribe medications and therapies in accordance with state laws and facility protocols, monitoring patient responses and adjusting treatments as necessary.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, mental health professionals, and correctional staff to coordinate care and ensure continuity of treatment.
• Provide health education and counseling to patients on disease prevention, medication adherence, and healthy lifestyle choices.
• Document all patient interactions, treatments, and progress notes accurately and timely in the electronic health record system.
• Respond promptly to medical emergencies and provide appropriate interventions within the scope of practice.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.

Skills

The required clinical skills enable the practitioner to perform thorough patient evaluations, diagnose medical conditions accurately, and develop effective treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of the incarcerated population.

Communication skills are essential for educating patients, collaborating with healthcare and correctional teams, and documenting care clearly and comprehensively. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are used daily to manage complex cases and respond to medical emergencies efficiently.

Familiarity with electronic health records facilitates accurate documentation and continuity of care.

Preferred skills such as experience in correctional health and knowledge of infectious diseases enhance the ability to address the specific challenges of this environment, ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery.