INSTITUTIONAL PHYSICIAN 42322

12/01/91 B

This is the first class in the Corrections Physician series for positions that provide comprehensive professional medical care and treatment for institutionalized offenders in the Department of Corrections or in the Department of Youth and Family Services. Institutions may have a clinic in which positions provide preliminary diagnosis and treatment, or a hospital in which positions treat patients and perform surgery. This class is distinguished from the Corrections Chief Physician class by the responsibility for direct health care within an institution, rather than system-wide management of all medical services.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty providing emergency and infirmary care; holding sick call within the infirmary, clinic, and segregation units; providing medical consultation; prescribing medications; and instructing offenders in general health practices and self care. Orders laboratory tests and x-rays, and analyzes results to make diagnoses. Maintains medical records and charts; and documents diagnoses, treatment plans, and prescribed medications. Reviews and revises institutional policies and procedures concerning medical and health services. Provides first aid and other emergency care to institutional employees, and may perform routine physical examinations of new employees. In hospital, treats patients and may perform surgical procedures such as appendectomies. May prepare special medical reports for Commonwealth's Attorneys and other officials, and testify in court. Refers patients to hospitals or medical specialists and provides on-call service for emergencies. May provide training for nursing and other medical staff, and participate in seminars offering continuing medical education.

Supervision Given: Positions typically do not supervise other employees; however, may supervise Registered Nurse Clinician or Dentist positions which in turn supervise medical and administrative staffs.

Supervision Received: Receives general direction from a Corrections Assistant Warden, Warden, or Warden Senior, or other administrative position concerning institutional operating policies and procedures. Receives professional guidance from Corrections Chief Physician.

Scope: Actions directly affect the welfare of all offenders assigned to the institution in the provision of medical and continuing health care. Services also may affect employees assigned to the institution who require first aid treatment. Establishes criteria that affect operating procedures in the institutional medical department.

Impact of Actions: Services promote the health and welfare of offenders; negligence can contribute to progression of illness, or death of inmates. Inappropriate actions can also result in expensive lawsuits against the Department.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal contact with medical and security staffs concerning offenders' health and/or history of health and behavioral problems; central classification concerning the location of offenders with health problems; and state health officials about the diagnosis and treatment of especially severe health problems. Frequent internal and external contact with state, local, and private hospitals regarding treatment of offenders.

Knowledge: Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of medicine.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to diagnose and treat physical illnesses and injuries; document medical treatments, prescriptions, summaries, and recommendations; organize and manage a professional medical staff; and plan and write policies and procedures relating to medical treatment, care, and the operation of a medical facility.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: Possession of a license to practice medicine in Virginia.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited medical school, and completion of an approved internship or residency in a medical specialty.

Level and Type of Experience: Experience in practicing medicine.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class, formerly titled Corrections Physician, was revised by the Department of Corrections and the Department of Youth and Family Services, effective December 1991.