I have an interesting dilemma at my current job. I'm a jail officer for our police department here in Indiana. I'm currently taking my prereqs for nursing school at the community college.
Here's the deal. Our jail is just a 72 hr holding area for midemeanor prisoners untill they can go to court. If they have any medical problems or things like that, we send them to the county jail where they have nurses always on duty. If it's an emergency they go to the hospital. Pretty much common sense so far.
Part of the booking process is a medical screening, which includes asking if they take medication. Well, here's the problem. Our assistant Chief, in his infinite wisdom, has decided that now, if a prisoner has medication and asks for them, we're now to give it to them.
This naturally made all us jail officers hit the roof. We all go to a 40 hr jail officer's course put on by the state when we get hired. Part of that tells us how to handle medical situations, and they make it clear, we are NOT to give medications.
I even called the Nursing Manager at the county jail and asked what the laws and rules are on that. She said that at the county, no matter WHAT the meds are, they don't give them anything for 12 to 24 hrs since they don't even know what could be in their system. But she made it clear that it is illegal for non-medical personnel to give medication unless they're a CMA, LPN, or RN. I went back and explained this to my supervisor who talked to the chief. The chief gave a "I'll look into it" answer. In the meantime, I told my supervisor I will absolutely NOT do it.
Besides the liability involved if something were to happen, I could also jeopordize getting my nursing license when I get done with school. Does anyone have any input or experience with this kind of thing? Or any idea what would possess our dept. to make such a rule without checking into anything?
Thank you in advance. I've lurked on this board for a few months now and have enjoyed the discussions.
