REGISTERED NURSE SPECIALIST - F/C - 67072411 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

Requisition No: 866210 

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: REGISTERED NURSE SPECIALIST - F/C - 67072411 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 67072411 

Salary:  $2,633.05- $2,891.92 BIWEEKLY, plus shift differential, $68,459.26- $75,189.92 ANNUALLY 

Posting Closing Date: 12/23/2025 

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AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 POSITION: Registered Nurse Forensic

POSITION NUMBER: 67072411

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

SALARY RANGE: $2,633.05- $2,891.92 BIWEEKLY, plus shift differential, $68,459.26- $75,189.92 ANNUALLY

CANDIDATE POOL: Future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for eligible employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits, including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options.
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.
• And more! For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave.

• https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/

The Agency seeks team members who demonstrate the qualities of being humble, hungry, and smart, and lead others to embody the same. This entails lacking excessive ego, sharing credit, being self-motivated, and exercising good judgment and intuition regarding the subtleties of group dynamics. 

This position with APD will serve staff and management across the Agency. Your work will impact the workplace culture, our community, and the population we serve as we continuously strive to achieve the Agency’s mission.

*Responses to the qualifying questions are required and must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

Position Summary

Duties of a Registered Nurse Specialist F/C include:

The incumbent assigned to this position is responsible for the professional medical care, health, safety, and well-being of residents ordered by the Court to the custody of the Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program which is a 24/7 treatment and training facility. 

Performs direct nursing care functions as ordered/prescribed and in compliance with applicable policies, Florida Statutes, and the scope of practice. Provides health and safety monitoring of all residents by performing thorough documented nursing assessments upon complaints, referrals, or signs and symptoms of adverse medical or psychiatric conditions.  Notifies and refers to medical or psychiatric provider as necessary and documents as required. Ensures all physician-ordered treatments are carried out as prescribed (BP, Pulse, Respirations, Temperatures, I & O, Phlebotomy, Wound Care, Radiological Exams Preparation, Application of Salves/Bandages, UA’S, EKG’S, etc.) Serves as charge person in management for medical/psychiatric emergencies (i.e., Oxygen, Suction, CPR, Splints, Documentation of event, etc.) pending the arrival of the attending physician or EMS for transport out of the facility.

Prepares and documents administration and /or refusals of medications according to applicable policies, scope of practice, and best practices. Performs quality control protocols on medications received from the pharmacy against physician orders to ensure accuracy, stamps with medication stamps, and completes other required information as appropriate. Timely and accurately completes Medication Administration Records (MAR’S).  Assumes accountability and security of controlled substances from the licensed nurse being relieved and transfers accountability to the relieving licensed nurse by confirming the count and security of all controlled substances before departing the facility.  This confirmatory count will be documented and signed by both licensed nurses at the time of the count.  If the counts do not reconcile, the nursing supervisor will be immediately notified for further instruction before either nurse departs the area/facility.

Documents in compliance with professional nursing standards, best practices, policies and procedures, and integrated hospital services to provide a base of information to ensure quality resident care.  Participates in appropriate audit/survey processes. Ensures/gives/receives reports of incidents, illness, and other relevant data pertaining to resident care with appropriate documentation, at the beginning and end of shift, to ensure continuity of resident care.

Direct observation of each new admission within 24 hours, other than weekends and holidays, to gather baseline data and for completion of Nursing Assessment on admission and annually; Completion of Monitoring of Side Effects Scale (MOSES) on admission. Initiation of flow sheets to identify conditions that may require treatment, i.e., BP, Meal Intake, Voiding, etc.

Assists the physician with examination of residents as appropriate, makes notations in the patient charts, and communicates orders for diet, laboratory, x-ray studies, and other medical treatments. 

Develops, implements, and/or monitors assigned residents’ treatment and overall well-being. Ensures monthly documentation of care given with notation of progress/lack of progress, as well as response to all prescribed treatments.

Ensures emergency medical carts, “Crash Carts,” are checked per policy and as required to ensure that all necessary items are present and in good working condition.

Complies with APD/Unit “Double-On” “Double-Back” Policies.

Completes all the training required. Maintain MANDT certification as required.

Maintain timesheet, ensuring accuracy and submitting timely in accordance with policy and procedure.

Perform other related duties as required.

Program Overview

The Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program operates on the campus of Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee and at Sunland in Marianna under the auspices of The State of Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program (DDDP) is dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to:

1.         Acquire the skills and supports that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

2.         Acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial.

Minimum Qualifications

Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse and three years of professional nursing experience or Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and two years of documented employment.

            Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

•           Knowledge of nursing principles, practices and techniques.

•           Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

•           Ability to provide emergency nursing services.

•           Ability to participate in the planning and implementing of treatment for patients.

•           Ability to conduct individual and group therapy sessions.

•           Ability to work with patients having a variety of physical or emotional problems.

•           Ability to observe patients' reactions to medications.

•           Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.

•           Ability to communicate effectively.

•           Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

•           Ability to effectively interview and assess the health care of clients.

•           Ability to analyze complex reports and determine the service utilization habits of clients and to evaluate the appropriateness of that utilization.   

            Other job-related requirements for this position:

•           Certification in the agency approved crisis prevention and intervention program at the Advanced level is required unless the incumbent requests reasonable accommodation supported by an annual medical certification.  Incumbent is required to submit to pre-employment TB screening and on an annual on-going basis as prescribed by DDDP.

•           Maintain confidentiality of employee and/or resident information.  This specific standard is mission critical as the Agency is entrusted with information about employees and residents, which is protected by HIPAA and other federal and state laws.  The Agency’s ability to maintain and protect confidential information has a direct relationship to our ability to gain and maintain the public’s trust.

•           Based on the duties and essential functions of this position, incumbents will be required to spend a minimum of 75% of work time performing duties that involve direct contact with residents in a secure forensic facility.  This position requires lifting, pulling, and squatting.

•           Employees of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities are required to demonstrate total commitment to outstanding customer service.  This includes, but is not limited to, acting in a responsive, professional, courteous manner with the employees, customers, and public we serve at all times.

Additional Information

We are dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial, and to acquire the skills and supports that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

This position may be required to perform essential services before, during, and after an emergency per APD OP 2-0035.    This position is critical to the safety and supervision of residents and may require the incumbent to work beyond their normal work schedule to maintain minimum coverage levels in the facility. 

Our campus and facility are tobacco-free.   

Recruiting Contact:        

Jodi NeSmith        

Recruitment Manager- Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program & Pathways    

Agency for Persons with Disabilities        

Telephone: (850) 793-7075 

Email: jodi.nesmith@apdcares.org       

 WORK SCHEDULE   

This position is located at a 24-hour facility.  Staff members must be agreeable to working a shift schedule; regular, evening, or night. Days Off: Varies.  

Employees may be required to work additional days/hours based upon the needs of the facility and center.  This includes, but is not limited to ensuring facility coverage, activities, holidays, and emergency situations.  

Direct Deposit Program – As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in State government is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.  

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT- It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the Level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Agency. Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for Statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.   

THIS POSITION REQUIRES A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INCLUDING FINGERPRINTING, PURSUANT TO S. 110.1127(1), FLORIDA STATUTES.   

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.    

 WE HIRE ONLY U.S. CITIZENS AND THOSE LAWFULLY AUTHORIZED TO WORK IN THE U.S. APD PARTICIPATES IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT’S EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION PROGRAM (E-VERIFY).  E-VERIFY IS A PROGRAM THAT ELECTRONICALLY CONFIRMS AN EMPLOYEE’S ELIGIBILITY TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES AFTER COMPLETION OF THE EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION FORM (I-9).   

ALL APPLICANTS SHOULD COMPLETE THE ON-LINE APPLICATION PROCESS.  IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE CALL THE PEOPLE FIRST SERVICE CENTER AT 1-877-562-7287. RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. ANSWERS TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.